Energy efficiency steps help save Rs4,866 Cr in 2015-16

The power ministry said the country saved 7,378 million units of electricity worth Rs 4,866 crore through various energy efficiency measures taken during 2015-16.

In a bid to promote energy efficiency, Power Minister Piyush Goyal presented National Energy Conservation Awards 2016 on December 14 after inaugurating the National Energy Conservation Day. Goyal also felicitated winners of National Energy Conservation Painting Competition 2016.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, “The participating units for the 2016 energy awards have collectively invested Rs5,111 crores in energy conservation measures and achieved monetary savings of Rs 4,866 crores in a short period of 13 months. The investment will continue to pay in the coming years as well. The participating units have also saved 7,378 million kWh of electrical energy, which is equivalent to the energy generated from a 1,352 MW thermal power plant.”

Spearheaded by the Union Power Ministry’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the awards recognise industrial and other establishments which have taken effective measures to conserve energy, and students from across the country who paint ideas for energy conservation.

This year, more than 1.14 crore students from across the country participated in the school painting competition, which is 8 per cent higher than the last year‘s participation.
A large number of Industrial units, office and BPO buildings, hotels, hospitals, zonal railways, railway stations including metro stations, state designated agencies, municipalities, manufacturers of BEE star-labelled appliances, thermal power stations, universities and other Institution buildings, electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), financial institutions and state road transport corporation and undertakings sent in their entries for Energy Conservation Awards aimed at recognising effective energy efficient technologies and practices.