Schneider Electric offers energy savings solutions to Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - The average Filipino consumer now has the option to control electricity bills by adopting energy efficient technologies and practices, despite having the reputation of highest power rates in the region.

In a press conference Friday, Schneider Electric Southeast Asia president Philippe Reveilhac said energy efficiency can help households, buildings and even factories cut on electricity spending by as much as 30 percent.

“The country is probably the best in the region because the cost of power is the highest – meaning when you invest in saving energy you will get your money back fast because it will have a direct impact on your energy consumption,” he said.

Schneider Electric specializes in energy management services and technologies. The France-based firm is present in over 100 countries with total sales of 19.6 billion euros in 2010, nearly three quarters of the global market for energy efficiency solutions and services.

The company offers services and technologies for buildings, power generation, data centers, commercial and residential establishments that can reduce electricity costs.

Reveilhac said there has been a strong demand for energy management solutions as the country has the distinction of having the most expensive power cost in Asia.

The company’s local clients include those in the food and beverage, information technology, and finance sectors.

“We are seeing more demand for our services than we are offering because electricity prices are hurting their production,” he added.

Besides helping reduce electricity bills, energy efficient technologies could also help the country’s power supply situation.

The company earlier tied up with the Department of Energy (DOE) to promote energy efficient technologies amid a looming power supply shortfall in the country within the next five years because of insufficient generation.

Both parties are currently working on a model of an energy efficient structure or a retrofitted building to showcase the benefits of reducing electricity consumption.

“One of the advantages of energy efficiency is that it is never too late. [Even old buildings] can be retrofitted or improved,” Reveilhac said.