Energy efficiency policies in selected APEC non-OECD economies

2.5.2.1 Chile

Initiatives in demand-side energy efficiency is as follow, however, no quantitative evaluation is available for these programs.

y Monitoring energy efficiency indicators for energy-intensive industries: copper mining, sugar production, etc.

y Energy standards have been defined for appliances, lighting, air conditioning and thermal equipment, motors and pumps, and transformers and cables.

y Voluntary agreements on energy consumption in the copper mining sector.

2.5.2.2 China

Energy efficiency policies in China are driven by the need to ensure adequate energy supplies and improve environmental quality in the face of rapid economic growth. China’s energy use, notably coal use, discharges 19 million tones of sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere annually and affects 30 percent of the economy’s territory with acid rain. China’s cities have some of the worst air quality in the world, with only a third of cities meeting international air quality standards. Better energy efficiency and environmental control technologies are needed to improve the situation.

As government energy efficiency budgets have declined and the private market economy has grown, China has sought ways to use the market economy to promote energy efficiency. The Energy Conservation Law of 1998 sets forth general principles and directions for energy efficiency practices. Detailed implementing regulations for the law include energy standards, an energy efficiency certification system for energy-using products, and energy management regulation for key energy consumers.

As a national policy, the Chinese government promotes new technologies usage and encourages energy efficiency improvements. In 1998, China launched a national program aimed at updating electricity end use distribution grids in both urban and rural areas. This program will reduce the amount of electricity lost through the transmission process. Energy standards for some electric appliances such as television sets, refrigerators, air conditioners, and the like, are also being introduced.

2.5.2.3 Hong Kong

Most energy efficiency programs in Hong Kong are voluntary. Labeling programs started in 1995, with the “Hong Kong Voluntary Energy Efficiency Labeling Scheme for Household Refrigeration Appliances” (revised in 1999).

These voluntary labeling schemes have also been applied to washing machines (1997), air conditioners (1996, revised in 2000), compact fluorescent lamps (1998), electric clothes dryers (1999), electric storage water heaters (2000) and photocopiers (2000). In the transportation sector, subsidies are provided for electric cars (exemption from first registration tax), as well as to scrap old cars.

There is also an information program on energy efficiency for cars.

Only service buildings have mandatory thermal efficiency standards.

Energy audits in dwellings, commercial buildings and industry are also voluntary.

The Government pays for audits in public buildings. There are also a variety of information programs on energy efficiency for commercial and residential buildings. A code of practice and guidelines for the commercial and residential buildings, set minimum efficiency standards and provide advice on best practices concerning lighting, air conditioning, electrical and lift/escalator installations. The codes of practice are implemented by means of a voluntary registration scheme. A demand-side management program for non-residential sectors started in July 2000. It provides rebates for new installations of efficient lighting. A similar program for the residential sector is being planned.

2.5.2.4 South Korea

Energy efficiency standards and a labeling program for household electrical appliances have been in place since 1992. Refrigerators, lighting products and air conditioners currently carry labels. This labeling program will be extended to gas boilers in 2001 and dishwashers and electric water heaters in 2002.

Efficiency standards were set for incandescent bulb in 1997 and those for fluorescent lighting systems including ballast and lamp came into effect in 2000.

By 2001, standards for appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners and domestic gas boilers will come into effect.

Other efficiency measures in Korea include requirements for consumption reporting and preparation of energy saving plans for industrial and commercial buildings; provision of soft loans, tax breaks and credits for energy efficient equipment and measures; and information dissemination on best practices and energy efficiency measures. Moreover, research and development (R&D), demonstration and dissemination of technologies on energy and mineral resources, commercialization and diffusion of higher-efficiency energy appliances and climate change mitigation efforts are also being pursued in Korea.

2.5.2.5 Mexico

Mexico has several national energy efficiency programs such as the Electricity Sector Savings Program (PAESE) and the Daylight Time Savings Program. Several efficiency measures are mandatory, such as (a) thermal efficiency standards for new dwellings and service buildings; and (b) labels and standards for refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. Other measures include soft loans for major end use sectors, technical assistance and information programs on best practice. Incentive and market transformation programs provide economic incentives to users that acquire and install high efficiency equipment. These programs have been geared to residential lighting

and the productive sectors. Supply-side programs include the promotion of cogeneration and renewable energy.

2.5.2.6 The Philippines

In the Philippines, there are specific energy efficiency programs for each of the energy-consuming sectors. Programs in place for the industrial sector include energy audits, special financing for energy conservation projects, power patrol and energy certification of industrial fans and blowers. System loss reduction, heat rate improvement of power plants and demand-side management are some of the programs available to the electricity sector. Programs for the residential and commercial sector are energy efficiency labeling of appliances such as room air-conditioners and refrigerators and freezers, and lamp ballast efficiency standards. The Power Patrol Programme provides information on energy efficient practices to all sectors and has been in operation since 1993. A similar program for the transport sector, the Road Transport Patrol was started in 1998. In addition, vehicle efficiency standards and testing protocols for motor vehicles are currently in place in the Philippines.

2.5.2.7 Taiwan

The government in Taiwan has set goals to improve total energy efficiency by 1.2 percent per year from 1997 to 2010 and 1.0 percent per year from 2010 to 2020. The plan is expected to save about 18 Mtoe by 2010, and 39 Mtoe by 2020 (ADEME and APERC, 2000). To achieve these goals, Taiwan has implemented a “Comprehensive Plan for the Conservation of Energy and the Promotion of Energy Efficiency.” If energy utilization by an energy consumer reaches a certain level, the owner of the facilities must report energy utilization levels to the government, establish an energy audit system, and submit a conservation plan with energy targets. Taiwan has mandatory performance standards for all energy using equipment, including motor vehicles. It also has energy conservation standards for new buildings. To encourage investment in

high-efficiency equipment and facilities, the government offers accelerated depreciation, investment tax credits and low-interest loans.

Taiwan also promotes voluntary action through public information campaigns, compiling teaching materials for schools and sponsoring training programs on energy conservation. The government offers technical conservation services such as energy audits, advisory services, technology transfer and voluntary commitments with industry. See Table 4 for a summary of energy efficiency programs in Taiwan.

Table 4 Summary of energy efficiency policies in Taiwan

Program Type Industrial Transportation Commercial Residential

Energy controls × ×

Fiscal/financial incentives × ×

Voluntary commitments ×

Product efficiency standards × × × ×

Information × × × ×

Note: Source: ADEME and APERC (2000).