ADFIAP once again plays an important role in the implementation of a power efficiency project called “Switch to High Efficiency Motors” (SWITCH-HEMS). The kick-off ceremonies of the 4-year project was held on April 3, 2014, at the Dusit Hotel in Makati, Metro Manila in the presence of representatives from the European Union, the Department of Energy, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association and project partners. The project is one of the several projects of SWITCH-Asia funded through a 1.562 million Euro grant from the European Union (EU). Mr. Hans Farnhammer, representing the EU delegation in the ceremonies, emphasized the importance of the SWITCH-HEMS project in the pursuit of sustainable consumption and production (SCP), a priority initiative of the EU.
The overall objectives of the SWITCH-HEMS project are: (1) to increase energy efficiency of the electricity-intensive industries and achieve reduction in electricity consumption and (2) to reduce contribution of industries in Green House Gases (GHG) emissions from energy use. The project’s specific objective is to increase the deployment of more efficient electric motors and drive systems in Philippine industries. In a presentation made during the ceremonies, Mr. Raymond Marquez of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE), mentioned a scoping study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2012 which found that 20 companies that invested US$8.33 million in high-efficiency motors saved US$4.6 million annually in their operating costs. Potential electricity savings in these 20 firms reached 27,128 MGhr per year.
SWITCH-HEMS will be implemented over a 4-year period starting in 2014. While the project will strive to help various private industry sectors, it will be focusing on the Philippine sugar industry for the initial year of implementation. Four (4) pilot sugar mill projects have been identified and they include Central Azucarera de Tarlac, Lopez Sugar Corporation, Central Azucarera de la Carlota and Central Azucarera de Don Pedro.
The lead partner for the project is the IIEE, Inc., the only professional organization of electrical engineers accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Other partners include the International Copper Association Southeast Asia (ICA-SEA), the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP), the Association Action for Sustainable Development (ASD) and ADFIAP. The project also has 3 associates namely, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSME), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines.
The European Commission launched the SWITCH-Asia program in 2008 to promote economic prosperity and help reduce poverty in Asia by encouraging a sustainable growth with low environmental impact from industries and consumers in line with international environmental agreements and processes. More specifically, SWITCH-Asia programme aims to promote sustainable products, processes, services and consumption patterns in Asia by improving cooperation retailers, producer and consumer organizations and the public sector.