EESL plans to invest Rs.1,000 Crores in AP

The Andhra Pradesh Government, which plans to provide 24 X 7 power supply in future for domestic sector in “power for all (PFA) program ” by the Central Government in a phased manner , has decided to give utmost priority to EE&EC programmes.

To achieve the potential target of Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency (EC&EE) to the tune of 15 to 20%, state Govt. is going to involve all sections of the people. In a significant development today, a three member team from EESL a Govt. of India undertaking met Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and assured investments to the scale of around Rs.1,000 Crores over a period of two to three years, in the field of EC & EE activities in the State of AP, which is one of the flagship programme of Govt. of AP.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the positive response of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) who are ready to take up EC&EE programmes in the areas of domestic, municipalities, Govt. buildings and agrl. sectors. Energy conservation is a social responsibility of each and every body as 1 unit saved is equal to 1.2 units generated. In fact I have been following energy conservation since my student days, he said.

EESL MD Saurabh Kumar apprised the Chief Minister that EESL has come forward with a proposal for replacement of existing street lighting with energy efficient LED street lighting in all 111 municipalities/Corporations. In first phase EESL is going to take up this programme in 24 municipalities – Bhimavaram, Narsapur, Palakollu, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku, Kakinada, Tuni, Chirala, Ongole, Narsaraopeta, Tenali, Nellore, Anantapur, Dharmavaram, Guntakal, Tadipatri, Hindpur, Madanapalli, Tirupathi, Kurnool, Adoni, Nandayal, Yemminganur, Guntur.

EESL will invest the capital required for the project and the Govt. of AP need not invest a single rupee. The investment recovery will be done by the savings in Energy. The company will take up Energy Efficiency programmes in consultation with SECM, MA&UD Dept., Agrl., DISCOMs etc.

During the meeting attended by Chief Secretary IYR Krishna Rao, Secretary to CM G Sai Prasad and other officials, the Chief Minister insisted EESL for establishing a branch office in AP state so as to move the works of EE & EC programmes at a faster rate.

EESL is also very keen to replace incandescent bulbs (ICL) in domestic sector with high quality LED which will be provided to the households at a subsidised cost under DSM based Efficiency Lighting Programme (DELP). For instance, the cost of LED is about Rs.400 in the market, which will be supplied by the EESL at just Rs.10. The modalities for the implementation of this project are being worked out.

In addition to the above, MD/EESL has also apprised the Chief Minister about retrofitting the agricultural pumpsets with Energy Efficient pump sets in a phased manner to ensure a minimum of 30% energy saving in the agricultural. sector. As a pilot project EESL has agreed in principle to implement this measures in the 13 Mandals comprising of 25,000 agricultural pumpsets, wherein segregation of agricultural feeders is completed. (INN)