Gatchalian bats for creation of energy policy

MANILA, Philippines -  Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is batting for the creation of a national energy efficiency and conservation policy framework as an innovative alternative approach to securing viable and affordable power nationwide.

The lawmaker sponsored Senate Bill 1531 or the proposed “Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2017,” stressing that “energy efficiency and conservation strategies cover all three fronts of the 3S vision which has guided the legislative agenda of the Committee of Energy.”

The policy will boost the stability of the energy supply by ensuring the country is able to maximize the existing power supply; enhance the sustainability of energy supply through avoided greenhouse gas emissions from power generation; and lead to consumer savings in the long run.

Gatchalian, who heads the Senate Committee on Energy, said the consolidated version of Senate Bill 30 (authored by Sen. Loren Legarda) and SBN 525 (by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV), “lays down a solid foundation for a comprehensive energy efficiency policy framework.”

Energy efficiency is defined as the management and restraint in the growth in energy consumption, while energy conservation refers to the reduction of losses and wastage from energy production to consumption through the adoption of technologically-feasible, economically sound, environmentally-friendly and socially-affordable measures.

As an example, Gatchalian explained, compared to conventional light bulbs, LED light bulb requires less electricity to produce the same amount of light, making them more efficient.

Meanwhile, the motion sensor on/off switch of the LED light bulb “embodies conservation, because it eliminates wastage and makes sure that the light bulb only consumes power at times when we need the lights on,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed confidence “employing these easy concepts to the big picture can make a fundamental change in Philippine energy policy,” citing data from the International Energy Agency pointing to avoided fossil fuel imports, lower energy costs and positive effects on economic growth experienced by countries which have invested heavily in energy efficiency technologies over the past three decades.

To unlock these positive outcomes, the proposed legislation will prescribe the efficient use of energy resources and the promotion, development and utilization of new and alternative energy-efficient technologies and systems; the development, implementation, and review of minimum energy performance standards for energy-consuming products such as machinery, equipment and appliances, and second, the commercial, industrial, and transport sectors; and the creation of an energy efficiency rating and labelling system, guidelines on energy conserving design for buildings, and fuel economy performance labelling for transport vehicles.

Gatchalian likewise included the grant of fiscal, non-fiscal and technical incentives to encourage complete compliance with the proposed energy standards.

The Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy, a global indicator listing by the World Bank, showed the country lacks legislation or a national action plan that aims to increase energy efficiency, financing mechanisms, performance standards and building codes.