TAGUIG CITY – The Department of Energy (DOE) today published Department Circular (DC) No. DC2021-01-0001 on the “Guidelines for the Qualifications, Assessment, Registration, and Certification of Energy Conservation Officers, Energy Managers, and Energy Auditors”, providing guidance on the engagement of energy efficiency professionals for designated establishments (DEs).
“We envision that these formal certifications would not only professionalize high-level energy management learnings but would also generate greater employment opportunities for energy efficiency practitioners across all sectors,” Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi stated.
Under the DC, the appointment of Certified Energy Conservation Officers (CECO) is required for Type 1 DEs that have an annual energy consumption of 500,000 to 4,000,000 kWh. Meanwhile, Certified Energy Managers’ (CEM) appointments are needed for Type 2 DEs with an annual energy consumption of more than 4,000,000 kWh, or those that are classified as “energy intensive industry sectors” such as steel and metal, cement, sugar, electronics, mining, and business process outsourcing, to mention a few.
Similarly, individuals, whether working as a freelance energy auditor, or working for an energy service company from any of the abovementioned DE classifications, must be a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA).
A partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has been established to develop Energy Conservation Officers (ECO) training regulations and modules that are aligned with the Philippine Qualifications Framework.
The overall certification process for CEMs will be developed in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), together with other concerned energy efficiency practitioners. On the other hand, the development of the training courses for CEAs will be in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders, including those from the engineering sector and training institutions.
The DOE will provide the schedule for the approved certification process upon the finalization of the training regulations and course subjects.
For a better understanding of the DC and the agency’s energy efficiency and conservation programs, the DOE-Energy Utilization Management Bureau will be holding a nationwide Information, Education, and Communication Campaign this year.
DC2021-01-0001 will take effect 15 days from today's publication in newspapers of general circulation.
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