The NEA signs MOU with Institution of Engineers, Singapore to improve standards of energy managers

Singapore, 9 October 2013 – 10 companies, six public agencies and two individuals were recognised earlier today for their commitment to and achievements in energy efficiency at the Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) Awards 2013 – the highest number of award recipients recorded since the inaugural launch of EENP Awards in 2011. (Refer to Annex A for information on the various EENP Awards)

2          The distinguished award recipients received the EENP Awards 2013 from Guest-of-Honour Ms Grace Fu, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the opening of the National Energy Efficiency Conference (NEEC) 2013 on 9 October 2013. The winners this year come from a wide range of industries, including wafer fabrication, food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and energy transformation, and have all achieved significant energy savings by investing in energy efficiency and management.

3          “Over the years, Singapore-based companies are increasingly recognising the need to manage their energy costs just as they manage their manpower and other operating costs. The increase in the number of EENP Awards recipients this year reflects companies' efforts in achieving good energy management and better energy efficiency. We hope that participants in NEEC 2013 will gain from the presentations and discussions on energy management solutions and best practices, which will benefit their organisations”, said Mr Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive of the National Environment Agency (NEA).

4          Organised by the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Economic Development Board and the Energy Market Authority, the EENP Awards aim to foster a culture of sustained energy efficiency improvements in the industry and public sectors. The three award categories are: (1) Excellence in Energy Management, (2) Best Practices and (3) Outstanding Managers of the Year. Selected public agencies are also recognised at the ceremony and conferred with Commendation for Best Energy Efficiency Practices in the Public Sector.

5          Among the 18 recipients are Asia Pacific Breweries (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Eastman Chemical Singapore Pte Ltd, GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte Ltd and Nestlé Singapore Pte Ltd. (Refer to Annex B for the full list of winners and synopses of their achievement)

National Energy Efficiency Conference (NEEC) 2013

6          Running in its third year, the conference theme is on “Sustaining the Energy Efficiency Drive” and will bring together over 30 renowned energy efficiency experts and industry energy professionals to share best practices, case studies, technologies and standards on energy efficiency and energy management. (For the full list of speakers and moderators, visit http://www.neec2013.sg/speakers_and_moderators.jsp)

NEA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Institution of Engineers, Singapore

7          The NEEC 2013 opening ceremony also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NEA and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES). This partnership will see NEA and IES partnering to form and co-chair the Singapore Certified Energy Manager Steering Committee (SCEM-SC), in a move to effectively administer the various aspects of training and qualification of the Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM). The SCEM-SC comprises members of the public sector, such as the Economic Development Board and the Building & Construction Authority, non-governmental organisations such as Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Singapore Chemical Industrial Council, Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore, the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.

8          Professor Chou Siaw Kiang, IES’ President said of the partnership: “As NEA continues its drive towards greater energy efficiency in Singapore, it is important to develop a pool of trained energy managers who can support the government’s efforts.  We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner NEA on this matter and help install a robust training and certification framework. This will help ensure that energy managers are equipped with the professional knowhow required to undertake statutory obligations under the Energy Conservation Act and energy efficiency innovations in their companies.”

9          Mandatory energy management requirements under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA) came into force on 22 April 2013. Under the ECA, registered corporations^[1] must appoint at least one energy manager from among its employees who holds an SCEM (professional level) certificate by 1 April 2014. 

10        The NEEC will be held from 9 to 10 October 2013 and about 300 participants are expected to attend.

EENP - Annex