DoE obtains ISO50001:2018 certification

The Department of Energy or DoE is the first and only department-wide government agency in the country to obtain an International Standard Organization or ISO 50001:2018 or the Certification for Energy Management System.

"I am pleased with the DoE's successful implementation of its energy efficiency and conservation measures, highlighting the collective efforts and innovative mindsets of the whole DoE," Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said.

"As the lead implementing agency of Republic Act 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, we are committed to continually improving our energy performance and being an example for both the public and private sector," he added.

Energy performance optimization tool

ISO 50001:2018 is an international energy management system standard that provides organizations of any size with a tool to optimize energy performance and promote more efficient energy management systematically.

The audit for the ISO Certification was conducted by DQS Certification Philippines Inc. from 18 and 21 to 22 December.

Following ISO 50001 international standard guidelines, the DoE has systematically established and implemented processes to reduce energy consumption.

In January of this year, the DoE organized an Energy Management Team or EMT to boost its implementation of energy efficiency and conservation measures and institutionalize the same.

The EMT was further strengthened with the issuance of a Department Order or DO No. DO2023-11-0025 for the successful certification under ISO 50001.

Among its energy efficiency and conservation measures, the DoE adopted a flexible work arrangement to reduce energy consumption, where it has recorded 14.83 percent electricity savings from its Friday work-from-home scheme.

From the implementation period in February 2023 to date, a significant reduction in electricity consumption of 213.02 megawatt-hours, or an estimated savings of P2.5 million was realized.

Regular energy audits

The regular conduct of energy audits and spot checks also increased the awareness of its employees, which encouraged them to adopt energy efficiency and conservation consistently.

The DoE has likewise accelerated the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program, of which the Department is also part, and has reached a cumulative electricity savings of PhP286.7 million or an equivalent of 28,667.58 MWh as of 28 December 2023.

The GEMP implementation is guided by the Inter-Agency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee created by Republic Act No. 11285 or the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act.

It aims to reduce the whole government's electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent through energy efficiency and conservation strategies.