SECM to launch 6-point programme to save power

PK Mohanty says awareness on save energy must for making it a success

Hyderabad: Emphasising the need to adopt energy conservation and energy efficiency measures, the State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM) has decided to launch a six-point programme to save energy and to provide some relief to power consumers and utilities.

Participating in the fourth meeting of the SECM, attended by the officials concerned here, State Chief Secretary PK Mohanty said that energy efficiency measures should be in place to improve the efficiency in power consumption and prevent wastage of precious energy.

Initially following six point programmes would be adopted in different sectors: 1) Energy Conservation Building code: An ECB code would be made mandatory for incorporating energy efficiency components in all the large buildings such as multiplexes, malls and hospitals etc. This code will be applicable for all the non-residential buildings, with more than 1,000 sq mt of plot area or 2,000 sq mt of built up area, whichever is higher. Initially, Single Star Energy Conservation shall be made mandatory for all these structures. Certification of energy conservation for these buildings will be issued by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) empanelled architects.

2) Green Factory Building Code: Industries department is to bring out 'Green Factory Building Code' to provide vegetation in at least 15 per cent of the total site area. The other points include allowing natural day light and fresh air ventilation into the factory building, usage of T5, LED lamps for external lighting etc to avoid the wastage of electricity.

3) Energy efficiency components: Agriculture department in coordination with power utilities will launch a special drive for creation of awareness, among the 30 lakh farmers, on the benefits of usage of ISI marked motors and pumpsets and frictionless foot valves etc for the benefit of farmers.

4) Energy efficient pumps: The Rural Water Supply Department has been directed to come out with a scheme under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) for replacement of old pumpsets with energy efficient ones so as to achieve an estimated 44,850 units saving a day.

5) Harnessing green power: Initiating steps to tap solar power to the maximum and creating public awareness about the 50 per cent subsidies/incentives available for erection of rooftop solar panels and solar heaters. The Chief Secretary directed the officials to expedite the process of erecting solar panels on all government buildings.

6) Study on best practices: The SECM has directed the officials to study the best practices on energy conservation & efficiency throughout the globe for replicating in the State to achieve the targeted goals of energy savings in a time bound manner. Mohanty asked the officials to continue with the same tempo in spreading the energy conservation message throughout the year to make the programme successful. APTransco CMD Hiralal Samariya informed that the utilities are contemplating to achieve total wind power capacity of around 5,258 MW during the 12th five year plan (2012-17).

The Principal Secretaries of Energy, Finance, MA and UD M Sahoo, PV Ramesh and Adhar Sinha were among the other officials present in the meeting.