State offices to have energy efficient lighting

HYDERABAD: With an aim to save 1,000 MW of energy worth Rs 5,000 crore over the next a few years, the state government is planning to rope in self-help groups and local bodies to promote energy conservation in both urban and rural areas.A high level committee will be constituted shortly for effective implementation of 'Bachat Lamp Yojana', a massive energy conservation programme being taken up with the support of the Central government.Addressing a gathering at the national workshop for  BLY implementation, principal secretary for energy Suthirtha Bhattacharya said that the state government has made it mandatory in all buildings of government, local bodies and quasi government organisations to undertake energy audition every year.It was also made compulsory for using energy efficient lighting devices like CFLs, LED lighting and electrical appliances with the energy efficiency rating of three star and above. “The state government has already issued instructions to purchase energy efficient lighting devices and the officers concerned will be held responsible for effective implementation of the programme,” he said.The state government has finalised an action plan to generate about 18,000 MW by the end of 12th plan (2012-17) to meet unprecedented and ever increasing demand for power throughout the year. Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has directed the energy department to mobilise all possible resources to achieve the 12th plan target, besides promoting the energy conservation activity in all sectors.The government has also decided to promote generation of renewable energy like wind, solar and small hydro plants. The latest BLY scheme introduced by the Central government in 16 states including Andhra Pradesh, is expected to help reduce the peak load demand besides bringing down the domestic consumption.Under the BLY scheme, the CPDCL (Central Power Distribution Company Limited) will supply 130 lakh CFL bulbs to domestic consumers in CPDCL area by June next year at a nominal cost of Rs 15 as against the market price of Rs 90 each in exchange of ordinary (ICL) bulbs. Similarly, the EPDCL (Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited) will distributed about 79 lakh CFL bulbs in its area.