Centre offers special grants to States

Hyderabad, July 16 (INN): In a major move towards enhancing the national economy through Energy Efficiency (EE) activities, the Govt. of India is keen to provide special grants/incentives to the states which are performing well in the implementation of EE programmes.

Besides this, the Government of India has also decided to adopt a 3-pronged strategy for effective implementation of Energy efficiency programmes. The Union Government is ready to impart latest technologies available across the globe particularly from European Union and assist the State Designated Agencies (SDA's) of the State Governments for implementing best practices in the areas of phasing out the energy inefficient electrical appliances and to introduce 5 star rated appliances which can save around 25% of electricity; Effective implementation of Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) for industrial sector which not only save the power but also improve the productivity of industrial produce and allows the competition among the industries in the market based economy and adoption of Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), which is mandatory for all new buildings, commercial buildings, multiplexes, hospitals and non residential buildings etc that have a plot area of more than 1000 square meters or built up area of 2000 sq. meters which paves the way for substantial energy savings.

Disclosing this, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power , GoI, in a special message on the occasion of CII's National summit on enhancing efficiency of Thermal Power Plants at Hyderabad, further stated that the Union Govt. headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have considered Energy Efficiency & Energy Conservation (EE&EC) activities as the National Movement involving all State Governments for achieving the National target of achieving energy savings of around 15% in the country.

Dr. Ajay Mathur, who was unable to participate in CII summit today due to prior appointments schedule in Delhi, has sent the special message to the CEO of State Energy Conservation mission, SDA of Govt. of AP to communicate the same at the Conference. In the message Dr. Mathur has reiterated the public call of the Prime Minister, who appealed to the nation to take pledge on Energy Conservation as it protects the natural resources and benefits the society to a larger extent.

In consultation with AP Govt., World Bank, International Energy Agency (IEA), head quarters at Paris of European Union, Asian Development Bank and other International Agencies, the BEE, GoI is contemplating to organize an international energy efficiency conference/summit at Visakhapatnam during this Financial year. The reason behind selecting Vizag in AP was to showcase the success story of installation of over 92,000 LED street lights, which paves way for saving of about 43% energy and huge financial savings of around Rs.13.43Crs per annum for GVMC.

Thanks to pro-public policy of EE of the Union Govt. and vigorous implementation of EE&EC activities in AP on a massive scale, the prices of LED bulbs have drastically come down to just Rs. 82 from Rs. 350 in the open market. Dr. Ajay Mathur said. Now several other states in the country such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan etc are interested to study the AP model of EE which not only helps in reducing the power demand during peak hours but also helps for states and stakeholders in reducing their electricity bills besides arresting Green house Gases Emissions (GHG). Dr. Mathur felt happy to note that the AP state has become front runner in implementation of various Energy efficiency activities in the country and Govt. of AP has decided to adopt latest technologies available throughout the globe on energy efficiency front for the benefit of the individual consumer as well. S. Raghupathi, Executive Director, CII, Venkatagiri, Senior Executive, CII and Sankara Banthopadyaya, GM, NTPC, participants from various power utilities of the country have also participated in the programme.