Lawmaker pushes energy efficiency, conservation standards

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines should have stricter energy efficiency and conservation standards to ensure the stability of the country’s power supply amid expected surges in energy demand during the summer, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.

This should be the focus of the current administration instead of just putting up more capacity to meet growing power requirements, the lawmaker said.

“Past administrations have mostly focused on adding additional generating capacity to address perennial energy shortages. That needs to change. The government must give greater weight to energy efficiency and conservation strategies in its long-term plan to ensure the stability of the power supply,” said Gatchalian who chairs the Senate Committee on Energy.

In line with this, Gatchalian has been conducting committee hearings on Senate Bill 30, a proposal to institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation policies.

A Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) should be enforced on machinery equipment, appliances, vehicles and other fuel-using combustion equipment, and electronic devices to ensure homes and businesses consume the least amount of power.

Under this system, manufacturers, importers, and dealers will be required to comply with the MEPS and display an energy label showing the energy requirement and consumption efficiency of the products.

“The imposition of stricter energy efficiency standards will cut down monthly electricity costs and reduce consumption. That will be a win-win situation for both the consumers and the power sector,” Gatchalian said.

The MEPS system will be carried out by multiple agencies, led by the Department of Energy (DOE), which shall develop and implement a Mandatory Energy Efficiency Rating and Labeling System (MEERLS) for designated products.

The DOE will have vital support from various government agencies: the Department of Trade and Industry will require manufacturers, importers, and dealers to comply with MEPS and display the energy label; the Department of Science and Technology will conduct research and development programs in facilitating energy efficient technologies; the Department of Transportation will push for the compliance of vehicle owners, manufacturers, and importers with MEPS for road transport vehicles; the Department of Interior and Local Government will pursue local government unit (LGU) compliance with the mandatory implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures; and Department of Public Works and Highways will be responsible for the implementation of Guidelines on Energy Efficiency and Conserving Design in Buildings.