News Energy

APB, Eastman Chemical, Nestlé best in energy management in Singapore

Singapore offices of select multinational companies receive high honours at this year’s Energy Efficiency National Partnership Awards, which has a record number of award recipients since first recognising energy efficiency best practices in the city-state

Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore — Asia Pacific Breweries, the company that manufactures Tiger Beer among other alcoholic drinks, is one of four companies in Singapore recognised for Excellence in Energy Management at this year's Energy Efficiency National Partnership Awards. Image: NCCS

By Elga Reyes

4 minute read Oct. 9, 2013

Ten companies, six public agencies and two individuals have been recognised for their outstanding efforts in energy management at Singapore’s Energy Efficiency National Partnership (EENP) Awards on Wednesday.

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The Singapore offices of Asia Pacific Breweries (APB), Eastman Chemical, Globalfoundries and Nestlé led the 18 recipients at this year’s awards, which is the highest number of awardees since the launch of the EENP Awards two years ago.

These multinational companies, which exemplified commitment and achievements in energy management, received their awards from Minister Grace Fu of the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs during the awards ceremony that opened the 2013 National Energy Efficiency Conference (NEEC) at the Singapore Expo.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) are the organisations behind the EENP and they said the Awards aim to develop a culture of better energy use in Singapore, especially among industries or firms that consume large amounts of energy.

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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

Ronnie Tay, NEA chief executive

According to these three organisers, companies enhance their long-term business competitiveness and reduce their carbon footprint when they adopt energy management best practices.

“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,” said NEA chief executive Ronnie Tay.

“The increase in the number of EENP Awards recipients this year reflects companies’ efforts in achieving good energy management and better energy efficiency,” he added.

APB, Eastman Chemical, Globalfoundries and Nestlé Singapore all won in the category of ‘Excellence in Energy Management’.

APB Singapore was recognised for its goal to become a “Green Brewer”, setting a target for 2014 to reduce thermal energy and electricity by 13 per cent. The awards organisers also noted the company’s current initiatives on process optimisation and waste reduction.

Eastman Chemical Singapore has similarly been reducing its energy impact with different initiatives, a few of which are implementing short- to medium-term goals for energy saving. The United States-headquartered firm also conducts training and capacity building with an Energy Management and Conservation (ENMCON) energy team consisting of members from different departments.

Aside from ‘Excellence in Energy Management’, the other award categories are: Best Practices and Outstanding Managers of the Year. Both Eastman Chemical and Globalfoundries were recognised in this latter category last year.

Some public agencies are also given a Commendation for Best Energy Efficiency Practices in the Public Sector.

This year’s winners represent engagement from different industries, such as food manufacturing, wafer fabrication, pharmaceuticals and energy transformation, said the EENP.

Separately, the NEA and the Institution of Engineers, Singapore (IES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the NEEC 2013 opening ceremony. These two organisations joined hands to form and co-chair the Singapore Certified Energy Manager Steering Committee (SCEM-SC) – the group that will be responsible for the training and certification of the Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM).

“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,” explained professor Chou Siaw Kiang, IES president.

The Energy Conservation Act, entered into force on April 22 of this year, requires registered corporations (of a particular criteria) to appoint at least one energy manager from among its employees who holds an SCEM (professional level) certificate by April of next year.