Gov’t expected to lead in energy efficiency

By Mia A. Aznar

Sunstar Cebu
Tuesday, July 16, 2013

ASIDE from urging the private sector to engage in energy-efficient initiatives, government is also expected to lead the way in adopting energy efficiency measures.

Government representatives from the national, provincial and component city level gave their inputs on energy efficiency during the third Cebu Energy Efficiency Forum held at the Radisson Blu Hotel yesterday.

Organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), the Cebu Energy Efficiency Forum discussed government initiatives as well as practices that the private sector has adopted to promote it.

Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson said that on top of meeting the power demands of the country, energy efficiency is a contributing factor for them in energy planning.

With the energy demand computed based on the country’s economic growth, Ayson admitted that forecasting the country’s energy demand has its difficulties. They have been used to compute the demand based on a 6.6 percent growth. However, the country is expected to grow between seven and eight percent, which could mean much higher demands than previously projected.

Ayson said the department is developing its own demand forecasting formula that will allow them to be very precise with their demand projections.

Aside from being able to meet the demand capacity, Ayson said they also want to take into account energy efficiency and have it quantified to come up with better projections.

Ayson said the country’s energy reform plan ensures energy security, optimal energy pricing and sustainable energy system. The Department of Energy has embarked on information, education and communication campaigns, standards and labeling programs, energy management and energy auditing to promote energy efficiency.

The yellow labels on certain appliances and lighting products will help consumers know if the items they purchased are energy efficient.

The government is also targeting 10 percent savings from power and fuel consumption, resulting in P2 billion in savings last year. They also have campaigns advocating for the switch from incandescent bulbs to CFL or LED lighting and retrofitting of government offices and buildings with energy efficient lighting systems.

They have also come up with an efficient building initiative with the Philippine Green Building Council for a rating system on new buildings.

They hope to see the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act passed by the 16th Congress, which institutionalizes energy efficiency, enhances energy efficiency programs and grants incentives to energy efficiency projects.

For Cebu Province, a Green Building Ordinance has been passed on first reading at the Cebu Provincial Board, which requires provincial buildings to be energy efficient and encourages private buildings to do the same.

For his part, Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes presented his sustainable energy roadmap, which he came up with three days after stepping in office.

His consultant, Michael Nuñez, said delos Reyes set a zero carbon program and revealed plans to set up a 10-hectare solar farm that is connected to the grid and a wind turbine to power the Talisay City Hall and the public market that is off the grid. He also intends to use LED lighting for City Hall and its parks and conduct an energy audit.

The solar farm is expected to generate 7.8 megawatts utilizing 25,000 solar panels. It will be at no cost to the Talisay City Government as they will be getting euro10 million from the Belgian Government.   source