THE Department of Energy’s (DoE) Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB), has launched a series of spot checks of government agencies to ensure their compliance with energy efficiency and conservation policies.
The first spot checks took place on March 30 to monitor compliance with the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee’s advisory on the “Mandatory Implementation of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programs, and the Strict Observance of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Guidelines” dated March 14.
GEMP sets a target for all government entities (GE) to reduce their electricity and fuel consumption by 10% via more efficient use of existing equipment.
The prescribed practices include operating air-conditioning systems for six hours a day, which can be extended to eight hours during the hotter months, at a temperature setting not lower than 24 degrees Celsius.
Each GE will be issued a star rating to be posted at its entrance, with a one-star rating being the lowest. Ratings will signify the degree of compliance.
Projected savings for GEMP amount to P550 million from this year’s electricity and fuel budgets of P2.8 billion and P2.7 billion, respectively.
The first agency to be spot-checked was the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DoST-ITDI) which showcased its solar streetlights and solar cell installations, aside from the use of LED lamps and inverter air-conditioners.
The DoE deemed the DoST-ITDI offices fully compliant with the GEMP, and issued an agency rating of five stars.
The National Housing Authority and the Public-Private Partnership Center likewise received five-star ratings, while the Department of Agriculture received a rating of three stars.
The EUMB said it will be continuing the inspections nationwide to strengthen the public sector’s commitment to energy efficiency and conservation. — Ram Christian S. Agustin
