Inspired with the national recognition by getting all the five prestigious National Energy Conservation Awards 2015 and achieving excellent results in energy savings through ongoing energy conservation programs, the Andhra Pradesh government today decided to take up one more gigantic program of replacing existing old conventional tube lights with LED street lights in rural areas which will brighten the villages with less energy cost.
Accordingly, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who instructed the State Energy Conservation Mission, Energy and Panchayat Raj departments to devise a perfect mechanism for implementation of the same, has emphasized the need to focus on this Herculean task to be taken up in some 12,900 Gram Panchayats in a phased manner in the State which will be expected to save about 200 MU per annum apart from reducing the burden of power bills on Gram Panchayats.
While reviewing the status of ongoing Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Activities with Chief Secretary, Dr IYR Krishna Rao, G. Sai Prasad, Secretary to CM, Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, I&I, CRDA and K. Vijayanand, CMD/APTRANSCO and MD/APGENCO on the eve of National Energy Conservation Week starting from December 14 to 20, the Chief Minister said the State is proud to become No.1 in the country on the Energy Conservation front which also attracted the attention of Universal Energy experts at Paris Climate summit.
While expressing his satisfaction over the completion of more than 1.2 crore LED bulbs distribution in the State so far, i.e. 1/3rd of 3.7 crore distributed in the country, the Chief Minister directed the Secretary Energy to complete the process of the distribution of two crore LED bulbs to one crore families by March 31, 2016. The State has also achieved the distinction of installing 2.5 lakh LED streetlights in Urban Local Bodies as against 5.5 lakh LED streetlights erected in the country.
Ajay Jain informed the Chief Minister that MD EESL Saurabh Kumar in a communication to SECM, Energy, Department has come forward to make upfront investment for AP LED Rural Street Lighting wherein around 25 Lakhs LED street lights will be installed in villages in a phased manner by the Panchayat Raj Department. He also apprised the CM that, Pilot project of distributing Energy Efficient Fans is expected to commence in Narsapur, West Godavari, soon with the support of M/s. EESL, GOI.
The Chief Minister has also advocated the usage of LED bulbs and usage of star rated electrical appliances, which would directly help the consumers in the form of reduced electricity bills and paves way for environmental protection and reduction of the Green House Gas emissions for the benefit of future generations. The State Govt. will give utmost priority for environmental protection programmes for conserving precious natural resources and fully support the unique initiative of Central Govt for furthering the cause of the International Solar Alliance, for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created history in convincing over 121 countries during the Paris Global climate change summit. “In fact I was very happy that my proposal of forming International Solar Alliance placed before the high level team of Central Govt. headed by Piyush Goyal, on the occasion of the signing of MoU for 24 X 7 power for All scheme at 10.30 am on September 16 at Lake View Guest House, has transformed into a reality now. The media had also supported and exclusively published the concept of forming the International Solar Alliance in the lines of SAARC to exchange the technology for getting reliable, environmental friendly and affordable solar power to one and all.
Since, Energy Conservation is the noble cause for the entire universe, it is not only the responsibility of the SECM, Energy Department or DISCOMS, the entire official machinery of all Departments should gear up to make National Energy Conservation Week 2015, to highlight the need and significance of Energy Conservation. IYR Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary, who is also the Chairman of SECM, has briefed the Chief Minister that already instructions have been issued through letters to District Collectors and Superintending Engineers of DISCOMs for organizing the program effectively. (NSS)