RP, Laos to lead formulation of energy efficiency protocol

CEBU, Philippines – The Philippines, together with Laos will lead the formulation of "Energy Efficiency Protocol" in the ASEAN region including three countries-Korea, Japan and China.

Department of Energy (DOE) secretary Rene Jose D. Almendras announced that the ASEAN region is alarmed of the looming power scarcity that will hit the non-oil pro-ducing regions, that includes ASEAN and other countries like Japan, Korea, China, as well as Australia, New Zealand and India.

"The ASEAN market is expanding we are concerned about the [dwindling] supply of energy. The biggest issue now is the energy reliance. Some countries are not fortunate like Brunei and Indonesia," said Almendras.

He said ASEAN countries may not have the major clout in getting oil from oil producing countries, once oil supply crisis will hit the world, at least the community of ASEAN countries are united, and have single standard for efficiency.

The protocol will push the tagging of energy-efficient appliances manufactured within the region. This means that appliance manufacturers in ASEAN countries, including Korea, Japan and China will have to put a seal on their energy-efficient product based on the registration requirements and standards set by the ASEAN-plus three countries Protocol.

This plan was conceptualized during the recently concluded First ASEAN Energy Forum, wherein the Philippines represented by Almendras, and the country of Laos pushed the creation of the ASEAN (plus three) Energy Efficiency Protocol.

Aside from inviting investors to set up power plants in order to arrest the problem of surging energy demand, Almendras said it is important to promote energy efficiency-as lifestyle, not only in the Philippines but across the ASEAN region.

Although, there are now appliances that have "energy-efficiency" tags, he said this trend should be standardized within the region, and a body should be created to approve the application of a product as energy-saving.

According to Almendras, ASEAN has seen the importance of energy-efficiency campaign, as even oil-producing continents like the Middle East, have already formulated its own energy-efficiency program to prepare for the deepening of oil supply resources.

While these oil-producing countries like Indonesia and Brunei have also pushed seriously their energy-efficiency programs, much more that other countries which do not have their own oil-resources should implement serious programs of energy saving efforts, including the promotion of energy efficiency as a lifestyle.

Almendras said the protocol may be completed and be implemented in ASEAN region in the next few years, and this issue will be taken up in the ministerial level in the ASEAN region soon.

What happens now, he said is there is no clear metric-structure and standard on tagging appliances with energy-saving feature. Manufacturers have their own standard, but it has to be verified by a third-party.

One of the priority thrusts of Almendras leadership in DOE in the Philippines, is to promote an energy-efficient lifestyle among Filipinos. (FREEMAN)