DOE eyes limiting aircon temp in malls to save energy

Hanging out in malls to cool off? This may not be the case if the Department of Energy (DOE) gets its way next year.

As part of its planned energy saving measures for the expected energy crisis next year, the DOE is mulling asking malls not to turn on their airconditioning systems in full blast to save energy for four months in 2015.

According to a report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the DOE is planning to ask malls to turn the thermostat of their cooling systems to 25 degrees Celsius from March to June next year.

“It's not inconvenient, but if you're used to colder [temperatures], then you will complain. Pero, for the sake of the country, baka naman pupuwede. Ito naman ay pakiusap din," said Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla in the report.

“Voluntary pero we will come up with guidelines,” he added.

The report said even government offices will be covered by the guidelines. On the other hand, hospitals, airports and call center offices will be exempted as this might affect their operations.

Petilla admitted that it would be difficult for them to monitor if the malls will observe the guidelines. He said the DOE could send inspectors to these malls.

GMA News has yet to receive feedback from mall operators as of posting time.

The renewed call for energy-saving measures comes from government prediction of a 300-megawatt (MW) deficit in March to June 2015.

President Benigno Aquino III has asked Congress to grant him emergency powers to avert the looming energy crisis. Granting the president emergency powers to address such problem is allowed under Section 71 or the Electric Power Crisis Provision of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

This provision will authorize the "establishment of additional generating capacity" upon approval of the Congress. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News