New Delhi (NVI): In a noble initiative towards enhancing energy security in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has directed all departments to set up Energy Conservation Cells in all state and district level offices.
With this, Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to pursue the energy conservation programme on a massive scale by involving each and every department.
The main purpose of Energy Conservation Cell is to ensure reduction of energy consumption as well as electricity bills by effectively implementing energy conservation and energy efficiency activities so that economical burden shall be reduced among the departments, as per an order issued by Energy secretary Srikant Nagulapalli.
The Energy Secretary has directed all district collectors, heads of departments and chairpersons of corporations/societies to set up the cells within a month.
“The Energy Conservation Cell shall champion the cause of conservation of Energy and take all necessary measures for creation of necessary awareness and bringing about sustainable behavioral change leading to economical consumption of energy,” read the order.
As per the order, the HoD will nominate an official in the rank of Chief General Manager (CGM) as Nodal Officer for the Energy Conservation (EC) Cell and two Technical officers and one Finance personnel as members for the cell in the department.
A Nodal Officer will be responsible for proper implementation of provisions of Energy Conservation Act, 2001 in their jurisdiction, among other responsibilities.
A Technical Officer will have to identify the potentiality of energy efficiency in the department by accessing technologies across the world and prepare technical Action Plan and ensuring implementation of the same in co-ordination with APSECM, among other functions.
The Finance Personnel will deal with the budget requirement for implementing energy efficiency programs from the finances of the department, among other tasks.
Under the initiative, Andhra Pradesh State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation Limited, a joint venture of AP Power utilities, shall engage reputed energy audit agencies through tendering process and shall award the energy audit in various sectors in the state to ascertain the possible energy-saving opportunities and submit the recommendations for implementation.
The audit is expected to be completed in six months. So, the implementation of the first phase of energy conservation is expected to take about seven months.
The top three departments that achieve substantial savings, shall also be given State Energy Conservation Awards in the category of Gold, Silver & Bronze every year.
-ARK
