Building Digitalisation Seen as Key to Reducing Energy Consumption
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The digitalisation of building management is considered one of the solutions to reduce energy consumption while improving operational efficiency amid the rising electricity demand in the building sector. The phased implementation of a digital-based energy management system has the potential to cut electricity consumption by up to 15 per cent.
Business Vice President for Buildings at Schneider Electric Indonesia, Reza Syarif, stated that the building sector is one of the largest contributors to energy consumption and carbon emissions, meaning efficiency improvements in this area can significantly impact emission reduction and operational costs.
"Energy efficiency is not merely about reducing electricity consumption, but ensuring energy is used appropriately without compromising reliability, safety, and user comfort," Reza said in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He explained that approximately 30 per cent of energy in buildings is still wasted due to suboptimal management. According to him, the implementation of a Building Management System (BMS) or Building Automation System (BAS) allows managers to monitor energy consumption in real time, detect waste, and optimise electricity usage according to actual needs.
Beyond technological investment, human resource readiness is also a critical factor, as digital-based building management requires a shift in work patterns towards data-driven decision-making.
Such a system has been implemented at SMC RS Telogorejo Hospital in Semarang. Facility Manager Rio Oktavianus reported that the hospital managed to reduce electricity consumption by approximately 5 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024 after full BMS implementation, with an annual efficiency target of 10 to 15 per cent.
According to Rio, the digital system enables real-time monitoring of utilities such as HVAC, electrical systems, UPS, and air quality, allowing potential disruptions to be detected earlier. Besides saving energy, the system also supports predictive maintenance, which enhances the hospital’s operational reliability.