Energy efficiency bill urged

ENERGY SECRETARY Jose Rene D. Almendras wants energy efficiency and conservation measures to be laid down in legislation, explaining that such initiatives will significantly reduce energy consumption amid a tight power supply situation.

According to Almendras, authorities are now drafting a bill that they plan to submit to Congress soon.

“We are increasing our power generation capacity to provide sufficient and reliable supply of electricity especially in energy poverty stricken areas. However, while those projects are under way, the country needs to conserve its supply by managing its demand, and this is where energy efficiency and conservation come in,” Almendras said.

“As part of the Energy Reform Agenda, the Department of Energy continuously entices energy-intensive companies to adopt best practices and energy-efficiency technologies to significantly reduce their energy consumption.”

The energy chief noted that a 10-percent reduction in electricity consumption would be equivalent to a hefty P59 billion savings a year. Present technologies allow for reductions of as much as 20 percent. These savings will help the country in reducing costly fuel imports.

The DOE has since been implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures, saving the government 24.8 million barrels of fuel oil equivalent last year—an improvement from the 22.6 million barrels recorded a year ago.

“People must realize that energy efficient technologies are available in the market. We want to set the standard so that manufacturers will put a nameplate on their appliances and say just how much efficient they are,” Almendras said.  Amy R. Remo