DOE orders gov’t agencies to cut energy bills by 10%

By Myrna M. Velasco – March 22, 2022, 3:24 PM
from Manila Bulletin

All concerned government agencies are being mandated to cut their energy bills by at least 10 percent via adhering to energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) measures in their operations, according to an advisory issued by the Department of Energy.

That directive of the DOE, which is the agency chairing the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee (IAEECC), is in line with the provisions of Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act which calls for strict adherence to the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) prescription of the law.

As designed, the GEMP shall require government agencies to be the showcase institutions when it comes to compliance with energy-efficient practices – be that in the use of electricity in their offices; or in fuel consumption for their transport fleets.

And since the current dilemma of the country is the war-triggered oil crisis, the instruction of the DOE sets sharp focus on efficient fuel utilization of the government entities.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said “we issued this advisory to highlight the role of energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) in ensuring the sufficiency of petroleum products’ supply amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.”

The department expounded “the strict implementation of the GEMP, which aims to achieve at least 10% savings in electricity and fuel consumption, will help mitigate the adverse impacts of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.”

Plus, on the country’s other predicament over thin power supply, the DOE indicated that the GEMP-warranted energy efficiency mandates can “help secure the availability of electricity during the hot dry season, especially during the national and local elections.”

The DOE noted it will validate the compliance of government agencies with the advisory, by deploying energy audit team, “to conduct random spot checks and issue corresponding energy ratings.”

For compliance purposes then, the energy department is requiring “the regular submission of electricity and fuel consumption reports, and the submission of reports in the observance of energy conservation practices.”

Citing projections penciled in by its Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), the energy department emphasized that “the successful implementation of these measures is seen to reduce electricity demand in the Luzon grid by up to 24 megawatts, which is equivalent to P840 million cost of establishing a diesel power plant.”

In institutionalizing the policy, the DOE decreed “all government agencies to strictly implement the GEMP through designation of an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Officer and/or focal person.”

In the roll of energy efficiency and conservation initiatives fleshed out by DOE would include: turning off lights and computers during lunch breaks — except in offices where “no noon break” policy is implemented; and then after office hours, or whenever not in use.”

Additionally, government offices must “adjust their air-conditioning unit thermostat to not lower than 24 degrees Celsius; recommend the implementation of eight-hours-straight office operation whenever practical and applicable; activating sleep settings on office equipment; and keep doors of air-conditioned spaces closed to maintain ambient temperature.”