DoE considering new norms for energy-efficiency compliance

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it is considering new energy-efficiency standards for privately owned buildings.

“Maybe in a couple of years, we’ll be coming out with a building energy efficiency index, a benchmark (based on) the particular activity of the private company,” Patrick T. Aquino, director of the DoE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, told reporters last week.

Mr. Aquino said that the DoE is also considering a fleet fuel efficiency standard, equivalent to the corporate average fuel economy standard for vehicle manufacturers.

He said the team studying the new standards is currently in the data-collection stage.

“That’s something that we will ultimately have in place, but we will not put that in place until we’ve collected sufficient data,” Mr. Aquino said.

In a memorandum circular issued in 2020, the DoE requires designated establishments to submit an annual energy utilization report and annual energy efficiency and conservation report.

“What we’re monitoring in terms of compliance in their reports is their own set targets. So, the government is not yet mandating them to, with a specific target in mind, but they have to set their own targets at this point,” Mr. Aquino said.

In January, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 15 to accelerate the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP).

GEMP is aimed to reduce the government’s electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10% through energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.

“The DoE, through monitoring teams, will be doing spot checks to determine compliance,” Mr. Aquino said in relation to GEMP.