Ministry of Power organized the annual energy conservation awards function on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day, today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presented the Energy Conservation Awards to forty two (42) outstanding achievements by industrial units, buildings and Zonal Railways selected from 384 nominations received. She also gave away prizes to children who won the national painting competition on energy conservation and energy efficiency. Union Minister of Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde was also present on the occasion.
The awards are recognition of the demonstrated commitment to energy conservation and efficiency. These units have collectively invested Rs. 2923 crore in energy conservation measures, and achieved an annual monetary savings of Rs. 1843 crore, implying a payback period of 19 months and an avoided thermal generation capacity of 308 MW. Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency have also undertaken National Campaign on Energy Conservation 2007. Under this campaign, Painting Competition on Energy Conservation at School, State and National level was executed. About 5.25 lakh students of 4th and 5th standard participated in the School Level Painting Competition, which was quite encouraging.
Addressing the gathering the President of India reaffirmed government’s commitment towards sustainable development and inclusive growth by using the precious energy resources effectively and wisely. Citing the successful example of the energy conservation effort in Rashtrapati Bhavan, Smt. Patil urged large buildings in the country to find out the scope for energy savings, and to implement measures to achieve these savings quickly. In particular she suggested that all the Raj Bhawans in the country exploit their energy saving potential at the earliest through the innovative performance contracting method and engaging Energy Service Company (ESCO).
While praising the efforts of the industry, Smt. Patil exhorted the public sector to take the lead in this important national effort. She congratulated all the children who took part in the National Energy Conservation Painting Competition and stressed the need to inculcate in the future citizens the importance of energy conservation.
The Union Minister of Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde indicated that the present shortages of 15,000 to 16,000 MW may be overcome by practicing energy conservation and efficiency. He informed that the Chief Ministers’ conference on Power in May 2007 resolved to undertake Demand Side Measures. Ministry of Power has initiated schemes for lighting, building and agricultural sector. The lighting programme, the Bachat Lamp Yojana, is likely to be announced shortly and would provide the CFLs at the cost of incandescent bulbs by using the CDM revenues. Shri Shinde added that energy conservation efforts need to be translated into a mass movement so as to be inculcated in daily lives. It needs to be imbibed and practiced by all citizens and must become a way of their lives.
Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri Anil Razdan in his welcome speech, stressed the need to lifestyle change based approach to energy conservation and efficiency. He said that the need for awareness and education is a very important strategy to convey the message of energy conservation and energy modesty to the public at large. Shri Razdan added that there is a need to reassess lifestyle and recognize that in adopting the energy efficient option, neither comfort nor cost is compromised.
PRA:LK:14.12.07
(Release ID :34027)