DOE urges households and business sector to conserve energy amid El Nino

The Department of Energy (DOE) reiterates its call to households and the business sector to contribute to the judicious use of energy and accelerate energy efficiency and conservation efforts amid El Nino.

Historically, the El Niño phenomenon increases the ambient temperatures and heat index by one to two degrees. In some parts of the country where ordinarily 39 to 40 degrees are being felt, one to two degrees higher could be felt during those times. This is also the period when the use of electricity increases dramatically.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has emphasized the need to expand and deepen the practice of energy and conservation to mitigate power demand. He appealed to Filipinos to conserve energy and create a culture of responsible usage of electricity as power supply projections may still change, even if we have adequate projection, due to extreme temperatures during the height of summer that will be exacerbated by El Nino,” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.

“As we face the challenging period where we would need the support of everyone, we must therefore be conscious in our use of electricity,” the Secretary stressed.

Every act of energy conservation is already an act of patriotism, emphasizing that simply unplugging unnecessary appliances during peak hours to using light-emitting diode (LED) lights or ironing clothes during off-peak hours can unburden consumers, and increase electricity grid reliability.

Meanwhile, the Secretary added that during the Executive Committee (ExeCom) Meeting with the DOE attached agencies held on 18 December 2023, it was agreed to map out vital infrastructures of the country that could be affected by the supply of electricity, to be able to quickly provide interventions. These infrastructure areas include hospitals, blood banks, banks, and water pumping stations.

“In the case of the health sector, while the Department of Health will be providing generator sets for the government hospitals, there are also hospitals that are maintained by the provincial and local government units. The local government could help us identify these critical facilities for our efficient interventions,” the Secretary added.

Mapping efforts would enhance preparedness and emergency response in case of power supply restrictions.