The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) has officially launched the Sustainable ASEAN Energy Management Certification Scheme (SAEMAS) to establish common competency standards for energy management professionals across the region. The launch took place on October 8, 2026, during the 26th ASEAN Energy Business Forum in Manila, the Philippines, alongside the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting. The initiative is mandated under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 and supports the regional target of reducing energy intensity by 40 per cent by 2030.
Developed since 2022 with support from the ASEAN-Japan Energy Efficiency Partnership Programme, SAEMAS builds on the earlier ASEAN Energy Management Accreditation Scheme. Its certification framework combines theoretical instruction, practical training and energy audit training through a Common Standard Module and competency-based assessment. Certified professionals will be included in a regional register, providing industry, building owners and governments with a common benchmark for energy management expertise. The launch also introduced the scheme’s guidelines, training handbook, digital platform and professional certificate.
ACE and the Philippine Department of Energy signed a Joint Acknowledgment of Cooperation to support regional implementation. Endorsed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Sub-Sector Network in April 2026 and acknowledged by the 44th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, SAEMAS is expected to strengthen professional capacity and promote energy management best practices across ASEAN’s 11 member states.