How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager

 https://www.techikara.com/

How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager

Reading Time: Approximately 7-8 minutes

Key Takeaway: Is your Malaysian business a "designated energy consumer" under the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024, and you've just hired a Registered Energy Manager (REM)? You might be feeling a mix of relief and a little uncertainty about how to best integrate this crucial new hire. Perhaps you're wondering How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager to ensure they hit the ground running and deliver real value. Many companies simply bring in a new REM without laying the groundwork, which can delay progress and reduce effectiveness. This article will guide you through the essential steps, from preparing your team and gathering key documents to setting clear expectations, ensuring your new REM can immediately begin optimizing your energy use and navigating compliance with the EECA 2024.

---

Problem: With the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 now in effect, many Malaysian businesses are required to appoint a Registered Energy Manager (REM). However, companies often hire an REM without a clear strategy for their integration, leaving the new manager without immediate access to crucial information, internal contacts, or a defined scope. This lack of preparation delays the REM's ability to effectively perform their duties, such as conducting energy audits, implementing energy management systems (EnMS), and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Agitate: This unpreparedness costs companies valuable time and money. Delays in energy efficiency initiatives mean continued energy waste and higher utility bills. Furthermore, failing to properly support your REM can hinder your ability to meet the mandatory requirements of the EECA 2024, risking non-compliance fines and undermining your broader sustainability goals. Without a smooth onboarding, the full potential of your investment in a REM remains unrealized.

Solve: This article provides a practical, step-by-step guide on How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager. We will outline key preparatory actions, including gathering essential operational and energy consumption data, introducing the REM to key personnel across departments, and defining their initial priorities in alignment with EECA 2024 obligations. By following these recommendations, your organization can ensure a seamless transition for your new REM, empowering them to quickly identify savings opportunities, implement efficient energy practices, and guarantee your business stays compliant with Malaysia's energy regulations.

---

Summary

Your business has just hired a Registered Energy Manager (REM), which is a big step, especially with Malaysia's new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 in place. To make sure your new REM starts off strong and helps you save energy and follow the rules, it's important to prepare. Here's How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager:

• Who is an REM? A special person (certified by the Energy Commission) whose job is to manage your company's energy use, find ways to save energy, and make sure you follow energy laws.
• Why is this important now? The EECA 2024 means many larger energy users must have an REM and follow strict rules for energy management.
• Key Preparation Steps:
1. Get Your Paperwork Ready: Collect all past electricity bills, energy audit reports, building plans, and equipment lists.
2. Assign an Internal Helper: Have someone from your team (like Facilities or Finance) ready to assist the REM.
3. Introduce Them: Make sure key people (top management, facilities team, production managers) know who the REM is and why they're important.
4. Explain Your Energy Situation: Give them a quick overview of your biggest energy users and any problems you know about.
5. Share Your Goals: Tell them what you hope to achieve (e.g., save 10% on energy, become compliant with EECA).
6. Provide Necessary Access: Make sure they can get into areas they need to see and systems they need to check.
7. Give Them Space: Set up a workspace and make them feel welcome.

---

1. Understanding the Role of a Registered Energy Manager (REM)

Before we talk about How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager, let's quickly understand what an REM actually does.

In Malaysia, a Registered Energy Manager (REM) is a professional certified by the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga). Their main job is to help businesses, especially those that use a lot of energy, manage their energy use smartly and efficiently.

Why are REMs so important now?

The new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 came into effect in Malaysia on January 1, 2025. This law aims to make businesses and buildings use energy more efficiently and reduce waste. Under this Act, certain large energy users (called "designated energy consumers") are now required to:

• Appoint an REM: They must have a qualified and registered energy manager.
• Implement an Energy Management System (EnMS): This is a structured way of continuously improving energy performance.
• Conduct Energy Audits: Regularly check how energy is used and find ways to save.
• Submit Reports: Send regular reports on their energy use and savings to the Energy Commission.

So, for many businesses, hiring an REM isn't just a good idea for saving money; it's a legal requirement to avoid fines and ensure compliance.

What does an REM typically do?

An REM has several key responsibilities within your organization:

• Collect and Analyze Energy Data: They gather all your electricity bills, fuel consumption data, and other energy use information to understand where and how your business uses energy.
• Conduct Energy Audits: They identify areas where energy is wasted and recommend specific ways to save energy (Energy Conservation Measures or ECMs).
• Develop and Implement Energy Management Systems (EnMS): They help set up systems (like ISO 50001) to continuously track, manage, and improve your energy performance.
• Advise on Energy Saving Measures: Based on audits and data, they suggest practical steps to reduce energy consumption, like upgrading equipment, changing operations, or improving maintenance.
• Monitor and Verify Savings: They track the energy savings from implemented projects to ensure they are delivering the expected results.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: They make sure your company meets all the requirements of the EECA 2024, including submitting the necessary reports to the Energy Commission.
• Promote Energy Awareness: They educate employees about energy-saving practices.

As you can see, an REM plays a very important role in a company's financial health and legal compliance.

 

2. Prepare Your Paperwork and Data

The first and most critical step in How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager is to gather all the important documents and data related to your company's energy use. This will give your new REM a head start and prevent them from spending weeks just hunting for information.

Think of it like preparing a patient's medical history for a new doctor. The more information they have upfront, the better they can diagnose and help.

What documents and data should you prepare?

• Past Utility Bills:
• Electricity bills (TNB): Collect at least the past 12-24 months of bills. These are crucial. They show monthly consumption (kWh), maximum demand (kW), total cost, and how you're being charged (e.g., if you're already on a Time-of-Use tariff).
• Other fuel bills: If your business uses natural gas (from Gas Malaysia), diesel, or other fuels for boilers, generators, or vehicles, collect these bills for the same period.
• Water bills: If water heating or cooling is a significant part of your energy use, water consumption data is helpful too.
• Existing Energy Audit Reports: If your company has had any energy audits done in the past, even if they were a few years ago, provide these reports. They offer valuable insights into past findings and recommendations.
• Building Plans and Layouts:
• Architectural drawings, floor plans, and site layouts of your facilities (factory, office building, commercial complex). These help the REM understand the physical layout and areas of operation.
• Schematic diagrams for major systems like HVAC (air conditioning and ventilation), compressed air, steam, or process flow diagrams for manufacturing.
• Equipment Inventory and Specifications:
• A list of major energy-consuming equipment: chillers, air compressors, pumps, motors, lighting systems, production machinery, etc.
• Include details like make, model, age, capacity, power rating (kW), operating hours, and maintenance records if available.
• Operational Schedules and Production Data:
• Information on your business's operating hours (e.g., 24/7, 8 AM - 5 PM, number of shifts).
• Production data (e.g., units produced, output volume) if your energy use is linked to production. This helps the REM calculate "Specific Energy Consumption" (energy used per unit of product).
• Occupancy patterns for office buildings (how many people, when).
• Maintenance Records: Any records of major equipment maintenance or repairs that could impact energy performance.
• Previous Energy Saving Initiatives: Details of any energy efficiency projects or changes implemented in the past, including their costs and any measured savings.
• Existing Energy Policies or Targets: If your company already has any internal policies or goals related to energy efficiency or sustainability, share them.

How to organize this information:

• Put it all in a clearly labelled folder (digital or physical).
• Make sure it's easy to understand and navigate.
• Having this ready shows the REM you're serious about energy management and gives them a solid foundation to start their work.

 

3. Appoint an Internal Point Person

Your new REM will need a go-to person within your organization, especially during their first few weeks or months. This "point person" will act as their guide, help them get familiar with the company, and assist them in gathering information.

• Who should it be? Someone knowledgeable about your company's operations, facilities, and possibly your finance department. This could be:
• The Facilities Manager or Head of Maintenance.
• A senior engineer.
• Someone from the finance team (for budget and cost information).
• Someone from the operations or production department.
• Their Role:
• First point of contact: Answer initial questions, help with onboarding tasks (getting IT access, setting up a workstation).
• Facilitate Introductions: Help the REM meet key people in different departments.
• Access to Data/Sites: Assist the REM in getting access to the relevant documents, data systems, and physical areas of your facility.
• Local Knowledge: Provide insights into past energy issues, operational quirks, or specific challenges within the company.
• Support and Advocate: Be an internal champion for the REM's work and help them navigate internal processes.

Having a dedicated internal contact shows commitment and makes the REM's job much easier from day one.

 

4. Introduce the REM to Key Stakeholders

An REM's job isn't just technical; it's also about working with people across different departments. They need cooperation from everyone to succeed. So, it's vital to introduce your new REM to key individuals and explain their role.

• Who to introduce them to:
• Top Management/Leadership: The CEO, CFO, COO, or relevant Directors. They need to understand the REM's strategic importance (especially for EECA compliance and cost savings) and provide their visible support.
• Finance Department: They will be crucial for accessing utility bills, budget allocation for energy projects, and calculating returns on investment.
• Operations/Production Managers: These individuals control how machines run and processes operate, directly impacting energy use. The REM will need their cooperation for any operational changes.
• Facilities/Maintenance Team: These are the people on the ground who manage equipment, perform maintenance, and understand the building's physical systems. They are invaluable for technical insights and implementation.
• Human Resources (HR): For understanding employee numbers, shifts, and for any energy awareness programs involving staff.
• How to introduce them:
• Formal Announcement: Send an internal email from senior management announcing the REM's arrival, their role, and the importance of their work, especially in relation to EECA 2024.
• Brief Meetings: Arrange short introductory meetings with key department heads.
• Explain the "Why": Clearly communicate why the REM has been hired (e.g., "to significantly reduce our energy costs," "to ensure compliance with EECA 2024," "to meet our sustainability goals"). Emphasize that the REM is there to help everyone.

When everyone understands the REM's role and the company's commitment, it creates a supportive environment for their work.

 

5. Provide an Overview of Your Current Energy Situation and Goals

While the REM will dive deep into the data, giving them a high-level overview of your company's energy landscape and your expectations is very helpful.

• Highlights of Current Situation:
• Biggest Energy Consumers: Point out what you think are your biggest energy users (e.g., "Our production line 3 uses a lot of electricity," or "The air conditioning in Block A always seems to be on full blast").
• Known Issues: Mention any known problems, like old equipment, common complaints about comfort, or areas where you suspect energy waste.
• Past Efforts: Briefly mention any previous attempts at energy saving and their outcomes.
• Your Company's Energy Goals:
• Cost Savings Targets: Do you have a specific percentage you want to reduce your electricity bill by?
• Sustainability Targets: Does your company have goals for reducing carbon emissions or becoming more environmentally friendly?
• EECA 2024 Compliance: Emphasize the importance of meeting all legal requirements under the new Act.
• ISO 50001 (Energy Management System): If you aim for this certification, mention it.

This initial briefing helps the REM understand your priorities and align their efforts with your business objectives.

 

6. Ensure Necessary Access and Resources

Your REM will need access to various parts of your facility and systems to do their job effectively.

• Physical Access:
• Access to all areas where energy is consumed or managed (e.g., machinery rooms, electrical panels, plant floors, rooftops for solar, utility rooms, offices).
• Relevant keys, security passes, or arrangements for escorted access if certain areas are restricted.
• System Access:
• Access to utility billing portals (e.g., TNB MyAccount for businesses) to download historical and real-time data.
• Access to any existing Building Management Systems (BMS), SCADA systems, or energy monitoring software.
• Access to your company's network, email, and relevant shared drives for documents.
• Software and Tools:
• Ensure they have the necessary computer hardware and software (e.g., energy analysis tools, spreadsheets).
• Workspace: Provide a dedicated workspace, even if it's temporary, with a computer, internet access, and a phone.

The smoother the access, the faster your REM can start identifying savings.

 

7. Encourage an Energy-Saving Culture

Finally, a truly effective energy management program needs the support of all employees. Your new REM will benefit greatly if the company already has a culture that values energy efficiency.

• Communicate the Importance: Reinforce that energy saving is everyone's responsibility, not just the REM's.
• Lead by Example: Senior management should show their commitment through their own actions and words.
• Highlight Benefits: Regularly communicate how energy savings benefit the company (cost reduction, improved environment, compliance, competitive advantage).
• Listen to Employees: Encourage staff to report energy waste or suggest ideas. They are often the ones who see inefficiencies firsthand.

In summary, the arrival of your new Registered Energy Manager (REM) is a pivotal moment for your Malaysian business, especially with the stringent requirements of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) 2024 now in full swing. To ensure your REM can immediately drive cost savings and navigate regulatory compliance, effective preparation is not just beneficial—it's essential. This article has detailed How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager by emphasizing the importance of collecting comprehensive energy consumption data and historical reports, assigning a dedicated internal point person, ensuring thorough introductions to key departmental stakeholders, and clearly outlining your company's energy goals and the REM's vital role. Providing seamless access to facilities, systems, and necessary resources, along with fostering an overarching energy-conscious culture, will empower your REM to hit the ground running, deliver tangible results, and secure your business's energy efficiency for the long term.

Is your business ready to fully leverage the expertise of your new Registered Energy Manager to meet EECA 2024 obligations and unlock significant energy savings? Don't leave their success to chance. A well-prepared onboarding process ensures your REM can quickly translate their knowledge into real-world impact for your company. Our specialists can help you streamline this preparation, from document organization to stakeholder engagement strategies, ensuring your new REM is set up for immediate success. Take the proactive step to optimize your energy management. WhatsApp or call us today at 0133006284 for a personalized consultation on How to Prepare for the Arrival of Your New Registered Energy Manager.