The state government has worked out a permanent mechanism to save energy through conservation measures. All key government departments like energy, municipal administration and urban development, agriculture and co-operation, industries and panchayat raj, among others, will be involved in achieving the targets. The aim: Huge energy savings through efficiency measures to provide some relief to the sector and electricity consumers in particular.
“A circular has already been issued to all the employees of government departments to conserve energy by switching off unnecessary lights and fans, apart from non-usage of air-conditioners for the next six months to set an example to others. Also all heads of departments have been advised to strictly implement the energy conservation measures,” said principal secretary (energy) M. Sahoo, in a statement.
Steps like implementation of Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT), Demand Side Management (DSM) measures, energy audit, promotion of non-conventional energy sources, utilisation of solar water heaters, star-rated appliances, usage of fans rather than ACs, replacement of incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes and allowing natural light are part of the permanent mechanism that has been established.
At present, around 2,200 MW capacity of gas-based stations are idle in the state due to short supply of natural gas from KG D6 basin, GAIL, etc. The inadequate coal supplies from Mahanadi Coal Fields in Odisha are affecting the state and NTPC thermal generation to a large extent. Adding to the trouble, the hydel generation is also reduced to an average of around 20 MU as against the maximum possible hydel generation of 95 MU.