(a) whether there is ample scope of energy saving in farm operations;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to help farmers in the use of
energy saving for the current Five Year Plan for each State including Andhra
Pradesh?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRI BHARATSINH SOLANKI )
(a) & (b) : Yes, Madam.
India`s agricultural sector consumes 22% of total electricity
consumption and there is immense potential of energy savings in the sector.
Estimates indicate saving of 30% of energy can be realized by replacing the
inefficient pumps with efficient pumps. If all the pumps are replaced, it is
estimated that about 30 billion units of electricity can be saved every year.
The savings in electricity would lead to reduction of subsidy provided by the
State Government which can be leveraged to attract private investment.
(c) : The Government of India has approved an Agricultural Demand
Side Management (Ag DSM) programme to enable replacement of inefficient
pump sets with efficient pumps in order to harness efficiency gains leading to
lower electricity consumption. Initially five states namely, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab have been chosen for implementation
of pilot projects as these states have segregated agricultural feeders and are
in the process of implementing the High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS).
This is necessary to enable ring fencing a viable project area and ensuring
reliable supply which is a requirement for efficient pumps. These two are pre-
requisites for the implementation of the Ag DSM programme to enable private
parties to invest. No other state has been included in this pilot project.