Barriers, Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Management Program: A Case Study of Universiti Utara Malaysia

Abstract

Over the last few years, the cost of operations and maintenance of buildings on public university campuses has increased and among issues that should be promptly addressed are related to energy efficiency within the campus. While university management is aware of this issue, however, there are barriers and challenges that have never been taken into account in energy management activities within the university campus. Therefore, this paper examines the energy efficiency program as well as to identify the barriers, challenges and opportunities for energy management program at the university level. The research approach is a case study from which data were collected through observations, interviews and documentation with the overall program and all the obstacles faced during the energy management program carried out at the campus of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Through the findings of the study, top management commitment, budget allocation, employee involvement and awareness are the key issues that challenged the sustainability and effectiveness of energy efficiency programs at UUM campus. Implementation of energy efficiency programs within the campus of public universities in the future should take into account the challenges and difficulties faced by the energy management committee.