New energy policy set to save 25% demand

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh has come up with a draft energy efficiency policy. The measures proposed under this draft policy are expected to save around 16,875 million units, which is equivalent to 25.6% of the total electricity demand of the state.In monetary terms, it will be worth Rs 11,779 crore annual saving. This is expected to reduce carbon emissions to the tune of around 14.34 million tons.Bureau of Energy Efficiency secretary, Milind Deore, during a virtual meeting with state designated agencies (SDAs) spoke about various initiatives of Andhra Pradesh, including the draft energy efficiency policy. He advised the SDAs to implement a five-point formula to achieve the desired climate change goals.“The emerging technological innovations are creating new opportunities for progress in energy efficiency and integrated solutions. Efficiency and renewable energy work together to deliver clean energy outcomes at the lowest cost. The future technologies that would impact energy consumption in each of the demand sectors have to be explored by the states. Every sector and scheme shall have specific targets,” said Deore.Highlighting the significance of energy auditing and accounting, the BEE secretary said that as per the orders of the Union ministry of power, the BEE issued regulations under Energy Conservation Act 2001.“This mandated energy accounting for electricity distribution companies. The major objectives of energy accounting are to quantify and determine actual losses in the power distribution system, segregate technical and commercial losses, identify areas of leakage, theft, wastage, or inefficient use. This will thereby pave the way for tackling the present challenges of high transmission and distribution losses,” said Deore.Stating that the standalone SDA model of Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are successful, he advised the other states to follow a similar model for effective implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programmes. Deore also said that the state level steering committee model of Andhra Pradesh is being followed by 18 states across the country.The BEE secretary commended the unique initiatives of Andhra Pradesh, including the IoT based energy efficiency demonstration project implemented in 65 micro, small, and medium enterprises and for being the first state to conduct investment bazaar conferences that help in maximizing energy efficiency investments and for constitution of energy conservation cells.