Singapore introduces mandatory energy management practices for large users

0

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s parliament passed a new Energy Conservation Bill on Monday to introduce mandatory energy management practices for large energy users in the industrial and transport sectors.

Starting from next year, all large energy users in the industry and transport sectors that consume more than 15 gigawatt-hours of energy equivalent each year will have to appoint an energy manager, Xinhua news agency reported.

They will also have to monitor and report energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and submit energy efficiency improvement plans.

The new bill also consolidates several existing standards, including the Mandatory Energy Labeling Scheme and Minimum Energy Performance Standards for household appliances, and the Fuel Economy Labeling Scheme for passenger cars and light goods vehicles under the Environmental Protection and Management Act.

The bill consolidates the laws on energy efficiency under one act to be jointly administered by the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and the Transport Ministry.

“The more we grow, the more we need to think of conserving energy and using it efficiently. Otherwise, we will pursue an ultimately unsustainable growth path,” said Minister of Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishan.

“The key is to raise awareness among corporations and citizens on building and achieving breakthroughs in energy efficiency, and this has to be a national effort,” he added.–BERNAMA