DOE honors energy-efficient entities

Twenty-seven (27) out of 360 entries from the government and private sectors emerged as the leading organizations with exceptional implementation and adoption of energy efficiency and conservation programs, innovations, and practices, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced during the 2023 Energy Efficiency Excellence (EEE) Awards held at the Hilton Manila in Pasay City on 19 December 2023.

These twenty-seven entities covering the industrial, commercial, and government establishments generated a combined total of more than 20,000 megawatt hours of energy savings, 14,000 tons of COS emissions avoided, and PhP170 million of savings.

Every December coinciding the commemoration of the National Energy Consciousness Month, the DOE honors and acknowledge the organizations that endeavor energy efficiency and sustainability practices. These awards were for many years called the Don Emilio Abello Awards, named after the Father of the Energy Conservation Movement in the Philippines, which he initiated in 1973 in the middle of the oil crisis following the OPEC oil embargo and the overnight increase in oil prices when he was then the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Meralco.

The oil shocks of the 1970s led to a massive push by the government on energy efficiency and conservation through the character of Asiong Aksaya, who personified the consequences of wasting resources that are far from finite. Nowadays, especially with the global energy crisis brought by geopolitical tensions, the escalated concerns over energy security, and the inflationary impact of higher energy prices on the economy and the people’s livelihood, the government’s call for an efficient use of energy has intensified.

“We, therefore, laud all the participants, with special mention to these 27 entities for their exceptional efforts in making energy efficiency and conservation an enduring part of their business culture and a way of life”, Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said, adding that their example hopes to be emulated by more organizations across the country.

The Secretary said the practice of energy efficiency and conservation is central in dealing with today’s energy challenges, with its huge potential in mitigating affordability, energy security, and climate change. The draft 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) aims to achieve 10 percent of energy savings on oil products and electricity by 2040 up to 2050.

He also noted that while the Energy Conservation Act institutionalizes energy efficiency practices, the DOE will continue to enhance its existing policies to align with the fast-changing innovations and technologies that come with energy efficiency and conservation standards, adding that in the coming weeks, the DOE will release policies that will reclassify Designated Establishments in the Commercial, Industrial, and Transport sectors to better capture the energy consumption of these sectors as well as the authorization of energy auditors under the Government Energy Management Program.

The EEE Awards is a non-fiscal incentive given to establishments or organizations that exemplify strong dedication to achieving conservation and are taking the lead in promoting energy efficiency and conservation best practices.

The Awards were divided into three categories – Energy Management for Industries and Buildings, Outstanding Individuals/Groups, and Government.

The Awards for Energy Management for Industries and Buildings have six subcategories, namely, Energy Management for Large Buildings, Energy Management for Small and Medium Buildings, Energy Management for Large Industries, Energy Management for New and Existing Buildings, and Energy Management for Tropical Buildings.

Meanwhile, the sub-category for the Government efficiency awards was divided into National Government Agency (NGA), Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC), Local Government Unit (LGU), and State Universities and Colleges (SUCS).