DOE: PH is turning more energy efficient

The energy efficiency playbook of the Philippines is no longer just a local script, but it is a game plan already catching global attention, with the Department of Energy (DOE) flexing to the world the execution of policies that warranted the country's initial gains on its energy-saving reform packages.

- By MYRNA M. VELASCO

At a ministerial roundtable during the 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency jointly hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the European Commission (EC), Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella disclosed that the energy efficiency initiatives of the country already logged savings equivalent to 33 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity and 588,000 liters of fuel.

That, in turn, according to the Philippine Energy official, resulted in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions avoidance of 26 kilotons.

To pull off those energy savings, Fuentebella shared that more than $146 million in investments had been pumped into well-calculated upgrades—including those on efficient lighting, renewable energy (RE) installations, as well as retrofit of equipment.