Wednesday 6 June 2012

IT’S TIME TO SAVE ENERGY


            The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources planned to perform audit on energy consumption in offices of central and regional government institutions. This is to promote national energy efficiency. The Director General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Kardaya Waenika, said that the government will implement energy saving program for central government institutions, regional government institutions, state-owned enterprises, and regional enterprises.

            Kardaya adminrred that energy consumption in some regions in Indonesia is inefficient, including in central and regional government institutions, state owned enterprises and regional enterprises. This may have a consequence on excessive spending of operational budget of the institutions concerned. Therefore, the government will apply some energy saving programs to give example to the society. Some energy saving programs are, amongst others, vehicles owned by the government, state-owned enterprises and regional enterprises may not use subsidized oil fuel (BBM). The State Electricity Company (PLN) is no longer allowed to build new BBM-based power plants, and electricity saving program is implemented in government institutions’ offices.

            According to him, energy saving program will be able to save up to 6 million kilolitres of subsidized BBM. Therefore, quota of subsidized BM can be controlled at around 40-42 million kilolitres. He said that energy saving policy will soon be set forth in Decree of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. He said that three are five attempts to save energy, amongst others: Firstly, prohibition on use of subsidized BBM for official cars of government institutions, state-owned enterprises, regional enterprises, and regional heads gradually. Secondly, implementation of conversion from BBM to gas fuel (BBG). Thirdly, mining and plantation companies are not allowed to use subsidized BBM. Fourthly, PLN is no longer allowed to build new BBM-based power plant. Fifthly, regulating of electricity consumption in government offices. Therefore, his party will from control teams for the implementation of the program.

            He said that currently, the government is preparing a regulation to regulated energy saving. The regulation will be applicable for government officials as a preliminary step as an example to the society. He explained that matters set forth in energy saving regulation are, amongst others, designation of air conditioner temperature, lights used in homes and others. The success of energy saving program will be seen from electricity bill for six months, and control will be performed every month.

            He explained that energy saving movement is a national movement and will be applied starting from June 1, 2012. To make the policy applicable effectively, the government prepares the sanctions. Those who do not implement the energy saving instruction, the officials responsible will be imposed with sanctions. Concerning this matter, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will perform an audit on level of excessive spending in energy consumption in central and regional government institutions gradually this year. He admitted that so far his party has conducted an audit on energy consumption only in large private companies due to limited number of auditors. If the audited private company did not follow auditor’s recommendation, its electricity supply will be reduced.

            He gave an example that energy auditor team finds that large private companies and shopping malls are inefficient in energy consumption. For example, they did not use energy-saving lights and they placed electricity equipment improperly. And, the auditor will give recommendations to the building management. “If they did not follow the recommendation given, PLN must reduce the electricity supply”, he said.  
        
Business News - May 21, 2012

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