The country should incorporate stricter energy efficiency and conservation standards to assure the stability of power supply amid the seen surge in the energy demands come the summer season.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that the Duterte administration should focus on this rather than putting up more capacity to meet growing power requirements.
“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,” Gatchalian said.
Amid this, Gatchalian has been conducting committee hearings on Senate Bill 30, a proposal to institutionalize energy efficiency and conservation policies.
“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,” the senator said.
The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) should be implemented on machinery equipment, appliances, vehicles and other fuel – using combustion equipment, and electronic devices.
Through the MEPS, manufacturers, importers, and dealers will be required to comply and display an energy label showing the energy requirement and consumption efficiency of the products.
The system will be led by the DOE, together with agencies Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Transportation, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Public Works and Highways.
The LGUs will monitor the energy consumption by business establishment and enterprises, which will become part of the requirements for business permit renewal.
“Prevention is always better than cure, so goes the popular saying. In the case of the energy sector, it is better to conserve and use power efficiently to ensure a stable supply instead of acting haphazardly when power reserves become insufficient. Let us all be responsible consumers and work together to resolve the perennial power supply problem, once and for all,” Gatchalian added.
Since the Paris Climate Change Agreement (COP21) is now signed by the President and ratified by Senate Mr. Gachalian should just include his proposed Energy Efficiency program to the Climate Change Action Plan. The climate change action plan can be as follows:
(A) Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission by: (a) Deploying clean energy i.e. renewable, (b) Transform our transport to low carbon emitting and efficient system i.e. hybrid, electric car etc., (c) Reduce Energy Waste in homes, business and industries., (d)Reduce other Greenhouse Gas Emissions i.e. agriculture, landfills, etc.
(B)Prepare the country for the Impacts of Climate Change: (a) Building climate change resilient and safer communities and Infrastructure, (b) Protect our economy and natural resources. (c)Use sound science in managing climate change Impacts.
(C)Provide leadership and commitment at international level in addressing Global Climate Change: (a) Working with other countries to take action in addressing Climate Change particularly within ASEAN and, (b) Leading Efforts to Address Climate Change through International Negotiations