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Published: 12 June 2012
IEA praises Australian industry energy-saving program
Australia’s Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program for industry has been recognised as a ‘leading-edge’ energy management program by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
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Switched on: the International Energy Agency says Australia’s energy efficiency program for industry provides a good model for other developed countries to follow. Credit:
Sinas Botas/istockphoto
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The IEA’s ‘Energy Management Programmes for Industry: Gaining through saving’ report profiles Australia’s EEO program alongside industrial energy management programs in Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.
The report cites EEO as a model for improving energy-efficiency outcomes and addressing information failures.
It also points out that opportunities to improve energy efficiency are still under-exploited in the industrial sector, which accounts for one-third of global energy demand and more than 40 per cent in countries such as Australia and developing economies like China. This deficiency requires the development of effective policies to address key information, organisational and capability barriers, according to the report.
IEA Executive Director, Maria van der Hoeven, said the EEO Program was a successful example of how government can work with industry to reduce energy use.
‘The IEA considers energy efficiency as the most cost-effective option in the short to medium term to reduce global emissions,’ she said.
‘Australia’s EEO Program provides a leading-edge example of how best to reduce energy use and improve energy management systems.’
The successful features of EEO highlighted in the report include its assessment framework, support mechanisms for participants and public reporting requirements. These have resulted in participating organisations reducing their energy use, improving energy management systems and changing the way in which energy efficiency is viewed.
According to the Australian Government’s Energy Efficiency Exchange (EEX) website, EEO’s provision of industry support officers, annual workshops and case studies and guidance material has ensured companies have a clear understanding of program requirements with best practice approaches and learnings shared among participating companies.
Source: EEX
