Nagpur: The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft of State Energy Conservation Policy 2016 which aims at enhancing the technology required to improve electricity generation.
The approval of the draft will facilitate implementation of the Centre’s Energy Conservation Policy of 2001 effectively. This was stated by Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule at a press conference in Mumbai. “Once implemented, the government will save around 1000 MW energy in various sectors in the next five years,” Bawankule added.
Bawankule further said that till now there was no policy for conservation of energy. Increase in development and growing population of the state has caused a rise in the demand for electricity. Keeping in mind the development of industries, there will be a further rise in energy demand. Most of the electricity being generated today is through non-renewable sources like coal, fuels, etc which causes an imbalance in nature, increases pollution and is a factor causing global warming. Also since these resources are fast depleting, we may not have enough of them in future. Thus these resources need to be used wisely, the Minister added.
The main aims of the Energy Conservation Policy:
• Effective implementation of Centre’s Energy Conservation Act of 2001 effectively and creation of basic facilities.
• Saving of 1000 MW electricity in the next five years
• Reduce the financial burden on the government by saving electricity, oil and gas.
• Encouragement for use of energy saving technology, use of LED and the like technology, use of LED bulbs on streets of civic bodies.
Solar feeders for agro pumps:
The State Cabinet also approved the solar feeders for agro pumps scheme. The scheme will be named Chief Minister’s Solar Agriculture Feeder, Bawankule stated.
The scheme will ensure 12-hour power supply for agro pumps across the State. The scheme will be implemented through Mahagenco. Similarly, Mahavitaran and Mahagenco will also participate in the vital scheme. The government has now planned solar power generation through small plants, to distribute through dedicated feeders. The pilot projects for solar power generation are being implemented on the Public Private Partnership basis.