Make energy conservation a habit: K.C. Venugopal

As environmental issues may hinder the new power projects in the State, conservation of energy is the most cost effective solution to energy shortage, Union Minister of State for Power K.C. Venugopal has said.

Addressing a workshop on ‘Energy Conservation' for gram panchayat chiefs at the Kerela Institute of Local Administration at Mulangunnathukavu, near here, on Monday, the Minister said the Union government was intending to save at least 25,000 mw of power during the next five-year-plan by following appropriate energy conservation strategies. “Energy saved is energy produced. Saving of energy is the need of the hour as the demand has gone up steeply while the generation remained limited,” he said.

According to a study conducted by the Central Electricity authority, Kerala's energy needs would be 4669 mw by 2016. “The State's total installed capacity is 1700 mw. We get 1510 mw from the central grid. Efforts are on to get an additional 500 mw. Still we have a shortage of 1000 mw.” Considering the upcoming development projects including the Kochi metro and the Smart City, the power needs would be more. The Union government was planning a 75000 mw additional power production in the 12th plan. Unfortunately Kerala's contribution to it was zero, he pointed out. He called up on the panchayat presidents to join the energy conservation campaign.

As 80 per cent power consumption in the State was in the domestic sector, the conservation was easier here; G. Anil, head of the Small Hydro Projects Division, Energy Management Centre, said. “With just proper handling of the electrical and electronic gadgets or cutting the use of one bulb at home, we can save considerable energy. The consumers in the domestic sector should switch over to energy efficient electrical appliances. This not only saves energy, but reduces monthly bills for households,” he noted. The workshop discussed simple power saving techniques that could be followed in the household.

Mr. Venugopal released a handbook on ‘Energy Conservation' at the function. The workshop was organised jointly by the Energy Management Centre and the KILA. District panchayat president K.V. Dasan presided. KILA director P. P. Balan, Kerala Grama Panahayat Association president P.T. Mathew and others participated.