Driving Energy Efficiency Forward: Key Takeaways @ST EECA 2024 Seminar

Optimal Systems Engineering Sdn Bhd (OPTIMISE) proudly contributed as the Registered Training Institution (RTI), in the Seminar on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024, held on 11 September 2025 at Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. 

Organised in collaboration with the Kementerian Peralihan Tenaga dan Transformasi Air (PETRA) and the Suruhanjaya Tenaga (ST), the seminar brought together over 200 participants from diverse industries — including energy professionals, corporate leaders, and key stakeholders — to drive the implementation of EECA 2024 and its impact on Malaysia’s energy landscape. 

Representatives from ST underscored the central role of EECA 2024 in driving national energy efficiency. They emphasised the need for organisations to adopt structured Energy Management Systems (EnMS) and comply with core obligations such as appointing Registered Energy Managers (REM), submitting annual Energy Efficiency & Conservation (EE&C) reports, and conducting regular energy audits. As they highlighted, “compliance is not just about fulfilling legal requirements — it is about embedding energy efficiency as part of organisational culture to achieve lasting cost savings and sustainability.” 

Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Zainuddin Abdul Manan, CEO of OPTIMISE, captivated the audience with his session on “Practical Steps Towards Compliance with the EECA 2024”, stressing that “real transformation begins when organisations move beyond old habits and embrace structured energy management systems to drive measurable change.”  

He also shared his experience leading the 6P Energy Sustainability Transformation Program (6P-Energy STAR) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) since 2010, which not only saved over RM30 million between 2011 and 2022, but also clinched the National and ASEAN Energy Awards and earned the world’s No.1 spot in the UN Clean Energy Benchmark. “Industries should embrace the EECA 2024 requirements on energy management and audits as a golden opportunity for growth and competitiveness, not as a burden.” said Prof. Zainuddin. 

The Energy Commission announced that energy consumers previously regulated under EMEER 2008 will be the first to receive EECA 2024 written notices starting January 2026. Other designated consumers will be notified in subsequent phases. 

In addition to the 11 domestic appliances already covered under the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the next products to be rated will include water dispensers, high-capacity motors, and commercial refrigerators. 

For consumers with solar PV, only the electricity used on-site counts toward the 21,600 GJ per year threshold, while exports to the grid are excluded from net energy consumption. 

OPTIMISE also showcased its One-Stop EECA solution at its exhibition booth, providing opportunities to engage with professionals from multiple sectors and share its range of services, solutions, and training programmes in support of Malaysia’s energy efficiency and conservation agenda. 

🔹 For those seeking guidance on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024, Optimal Systems Engineering (OPTIMISE) is a Registered Training Institution that provides support through Registered Energy Manager (REM) training, continuous development programmes, and capacity-building initiatives. The company also offers energy management system solutions, energy audits by REA, measurement and verification (M&V), and REM services. Further details can be found at optimalsystems.my ⚡🌱