New Delhi (NVI): Union Power Minister RK Singh today launched Energy Efficiency Enterprise (E3) Certifications programme for brick manufacturing sector to kick-start a series of events under ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Ministry of Power said.
Speaking at the launch, RK Singh appreciated the responses received from the bricks manufacturing enterprises for availing this certificate.
He also congratulated them for agreeing to shift from conventional to efficient technologies and product shift towards low density bricks with better thermal insulation, the Power Ministry said in a statement.
Singh stated that implementation of E3 Certification will lead to multiple benefits in terms of energy savings in brick manufacturing process and improved quality of bricks resulting in cost savings to builders as well as energy savings to occupiers of buildings due to better thermal comfort and improved insulation properties.
He further urged the brick manufacturing industries to become E-3 capable in next 2-3 years and assured to support them in their efforts towards this transition.
On the occasion, the Power Secretary Alok Kumar also informed that India is the world’s second largest producer of bricks and this demand is expected to multiply three to four times over the next 20 years, through E3 Certification program.
He added there is huge potential to save energy in the brick sector and emphasized that brick manufacturing industry consumes about 45-50 million tonnes of coal equivalent annually, amounting to 5-15 per cent of the total energy consumption in the country.
The Power Ministry informed that the burnt clay brick sector has immense potential for energy efficiency and the proposed E3 Certification scheme, which is aimed at tapping huge energy efficacy potential in this sector.
“Energy saving of 7 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) per year and CO, savings of about 25 million tonnes by 2030 are estimated through adoption of E3 Certification by 7,500 Bricks manufacturing units,” it added.
The E3 Certification scheme seeks to accelerate brick sector modernization, using market incentives to create customer demand to fulfil the vision for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the ministry noted
By availing this scheme, the brick units shall shift towards adoption of more efficient technologies for making energy efficient bricks.
It is also proposed to nudge the agencies or departments in the public sector like CPWD, NBCC, State Public Works Department Railways and Urban local bodies, etc., to create demand for energy efficient or hollow bricks, the statement added.
-RJV
