DOE revises energy efficiency incentives under CREATE MORE

The Department of Energy (DOE) is refining the country’s energy efficiency fiscal incentives to align them with the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and the proposed CREATE to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE measure).

The update was highlighted during the “Swedish Perspectives on Energy Efficiency in the Industrial Sector” forum held on December 5 at The Peninsula Manila, where DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick T. Aquino said the revisions aim to strengthen support for companies investing in energy-efficient technologies, systems, and equipment.

Aquino said the DOE is closely coordinating with the Board of Investments to streamline guidelines, enhance consistency across agencies, and make incentives more accessible to firms undertaking efficiency upgrades.

Under the proposed revisions, eligible energy efficiency projects may receive tax-free and duty-free importation of equipment as well as income tax incentives.

Aquino said the DOE also intends to shorten endorsement timelines, targeting a processing period of around 20 working days to encourage greater investor participation.

The DOE stressed that fiscal support remains important as establishments continue to face high capital costs and long payback periods for efficiency improvements.

Industry groups at the event agreed that many small and medium enterprises struggle to finance energy-efficiency retrofits despite their long-term savings potential.

Speakers noted that stronger incentives could accelerate the adoption of solutions in cooling systems, industrial processes, building management systems, and thermal efficiency technologies.

The updated incentive framework is expected to complement the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which requires designated establishments to conduct regular audits, report consumption data, and implement energy management systems.

DOE officials said aligning regulatory requirements with fiscal incentives is essential to raising compliance levels and scaling investments in efficiency across commercial and industrial sectors.