Exclusive energy efficiency policy helps to accelerate energy efficiency programs and achieve State energy efficiency targets with economic savings of at least Rs.1200 Crore per annum
Impressed with the tangible results in the area of energy efficiency which ultimately helps for economic development of the State and contributes towards providing 24x7 quality power supply to electricity consumers, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has contemplated to formulate an exclusive energy efficiency policy to achieve State energy efficiency targets with economic savings of at least Rs.1200 Crore per annum.
The dedicated energy efficiency policy would help to attain the desired goals of achieving 25 per cent energy saving potential out of total annual energy demand of around 67890 Million units(as per APERC Tariff order FY2023-24). The implementation of the policy in promoting the use of new and latest energy conservation and energy efficiency technologies in various sectors in the State will have major impact on attaining the objective of the State Government to achieve energy security, 24x7 quality and cost effective power and strengthening of power sector as well.
On the eve of forthcoming executive committee meeting of Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) under Energy department that would be conducted in a couple of days, the Chief Secretary to Government and Chairman of APSECM K S Jawahar Reddy had a short discussion with special chief secretary energy and Vice chairman of APSECM K Vijayanand and APSECM officials about ongoing energy conservation activities and future plans of energy efficiency in the State.
The Chief Secretary said that 24x7 highly qualitative and cost effective power supply is utmost priority for Chief Minister Y S JaganMohan Reddy and the State government considers it as one of the most important objectives of government policies for reviving economic growth in the State on fast track basis as the electricity is the prime driver for State’s development which helps to improve the living standards of people. “The adoption of dedicated energy efficiency policy would be a significant step for energy efficiency goals and would also become an add-on for the efforts of state government to provide much more reliable and quality power supply to electricity consumers”, Chief Secretary said.
He appreciated the power utilities for bagging six major awards in a short span of last four months that include Skoch Awards and Enertia Awards won by APTRANSCO and NREDCAP and the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award won by AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) received from the honorable President of India for the first time. “All these awards demonstrate the commitment of State government towards strengthening of power sector and promoting energy efficiency and protection of environment as well”, CS said.
Responding to a query of Chief Secretary on energy efficiency policy, the Special chief secretary energy K Vijayanand said that Energy Efficiency policy is expected to help in formulating energy conservation and energy efficiency programs in the sectors of Industries, building sector, municipal, agriculture, transport, power utilities, commercial and residential sectors.
As per an estimate of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, out of the total energy demand of around 67890 MU, there is scope for savings of 25 per cent of energy demand that is equivalent to around 17000 MU. APSECM officials opined that out of the saving potential of 17000 MU, even if 10 percent of saving potential is targeted per annum, the State could save at least 1,700 million units of energy worth around Rs 1,200 crore per annum (Cost of service at Rs.7.26 per unit for FY2023-24) by implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures. Andhra Pradesh has so far reduced around 5,600 MU of electricity consumption worth Rs 3,800 crore by rolling out schemes such as UJALA, PAT (perform, achieve and trade) and LED street lighting.
“The Policy aims to effectively implement Energy Conservation act 2001 in the state and achieve energy efficiency targets in various sectors with substantial reduction of the carbon emissions (Green House Gases). It also focuses on promotion and use of energy efficient devices/Equipment such as star rated devices in domestic sector which includes residential, commercial buildings, government, semi government offices” special CS energy said.
He explained that the policy helps to bring a unified platform and an integrated approach to address energy efficiency and energy conservation to all the stakeholders. The policy addresses Domestic, Industry, Commercial, Agriculture, Municipality and Transport sectors to implement and enforce Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measures effectively in the state.
He also said that the policy intends formation of a steering committee headed by the Chief Secretary and a technical committee headed by the HODs of the relevant sector, defining roles and responsibilities of the steering committee and technical committee, providing additional powers and duties to the stakeholders, promoting awareness and organize training programmes, attract investments, devising innovative financing and market transformational strategies are a few steps taken to enhance EE & EC activities in the state.
The special CS energy further said that the EE/EC policy ensures sustainability through profitable and efficient use of resources to provide sustainable energy supply to all sectors of the State. It is envisioned to create an effective eco-system for adoption of EE and EC practices towards a better sustainable society and develop Andhra Pradesh as the most energy-efficient and less energy-intensive state.Annexure:
Objectives of the proposed Energy Efficiency policy:
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