Gov’t boosts energy conservation efforts

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing efforts to institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation in government offices.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the DOE had submitted to President Marcos a proposed administrative order to accelerate the implementation of policies to reduce energy consumption.

Lotilla said if realized, this could result in savings of almost P7 billion, or equivalent to 347.42 megawatts.

He said the government has so far saved P284.93 million as of Dec. 13 since the introduction of policies related to energy efficiency and conservation.

“If the private sector can be more fully mobilized voluntarily and empower itself through efficient energy management, we can achieve more. Please, let us continue to do our share and encourage others to do the same,” said Lotilla in his speech during the 2022 Energy Efficiency Excellence Awards held recently.

Lotilla appealed to the private sector for cooperation and awareness in advancing this advocacy.

“In the days ahead, especially as we approach the hot months, the need for energy efficiency and conservation will even become more pronounced. So, we see you as our allies in repeating the message and making sure that the necessary steps are taken to use more judicious energy,” he added.

As the lead agency, the DOE through the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee has promulgated various resolutions aimed at reducing the government’s consumption of electricity and fuel by at least 10 percent consistently.

These include using energy-efficient light-emitting diodes lamps and inverter-type air-conditioning or similar equivalent technologies in all government entities, local government units and foreign services posts.

Such measures are being undertaken in line with Republic Act No. 11285, also known as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. Signed in 2019, the law aims to make this practice “a national way of life” to attain efficient and judicious energy utilization.

To date, there are 4,241 designated establishments from the commercial, industrial and transportation sectors that implement various projects to reduce their energy consumption.

These projects, according to Lotilla, will require an investment of P4.5 billion but they will generate an equivalent of 491.75 gigawatt hours of energy savings. INQ