300 firms joining ECCP-LED forum on energy efficiency

Business Mirror

Published on Monday, 01 July 2013 21:45

Written by Jennifer A. Ng

Close to 300 companies that are keen on looking for ways to make their businesses more energy efficient will take part in an annual forum organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) next month.

Already on its fourth year, the Philippine Energy Efficient Forum (PEEF) is expected to gather companies from across all industries. The event will be staged in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

ECCP Vice President for External Affairs Henry Schumacher said this year’s event would focus on the initiatives and projects that the chamber has accomplished together with its partner-companies.

“Over the last three years, the ECCP conducted energy audits for companies and held continuous best practices seminars, forums and workshops on energy efficiency. We believe there is already an understanding among companies in the country on the importance of being energy efficient,” said Schumacher.

Last month alone, the ECCP and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) signed agreement that aims to encourage locators in ecozones nationwide to invest in energy efficiency.

 The ECCP’s Energy Smart Program, which has been established in 2010 during the initial PEEF, has been tasked to promote good housekeeping and appropriate investments that will lead to reductions in energy usage among Peza companies.

Outside of Peza, the ECCP has been conducting for the last three years walk-through audits of companies that voluntarily asked for assistance on how they could become energy efficient. 

Signed under a non-disclosure rule, the companies are from the information technology, property, hospital, SME, logistics, electronics, utility, and hospitality industries. 

The ECCP said investments in energy efficiency would directly result in a 30-percent reduction in energy consumption, with return on investments within six months to three years. 

Schumacher expects to have top government officials, local government units, nongovernmental organizations, and members of academe to also take part in this year’s forum. 

“The ECCP wants to have a broad alliance with various stakeholders to ensure that we sustain the growth we have achieved and to further the innovative approaches and sustainable solutions on energy efficiency,” he said. 

This year’s forum will be conducted in partnership with the International Finance Corporation and the International Copper Association.   source