In order to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr Aman Arora on Tuesday gave a clarion call to work in the direction of new and innovative energy efficient technologies in the State to secure the future.
There is a discussion going on around the world to move towards green energy and the countries involved in the recent International Conference organised at Glasgow have pledged to work fast in the direction of green energy,” he said, while adding that the time has come to look for the ways for the conservation of the environment.
Aman Arora was presiding over the Half Day Stakeholder Validation Workshop and Launch of the State Energy Efficiency Action Plan (SEEAP) here at a Hotel. The event was organised by the State Designated Agency (SDA), Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) in association with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and the assistance of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Design2Occupancy Services LLP (D2O).
Stressing on the need to reduce the use of fossil fuels by moving towards solar and wind energy, the Cabinet Minister said that India has been producing three times more carbon gases than its size, which is a big challenge for us.
He also advised to make wise use of electricity and water otherwise coming generations will have to face consequences. He instructed the officials to carry out a campaign to sensitise people of the state to conserve the environment and use environment friendly energy.
He also focused over the investment potential in different sectors which can enhance the infrastructure at the state level. He stressed upon the dynamics of industry, transport, buildings, and agriculture sectors are bringing new opportunities. In addition, he mentioned that energy is slowly transitioning to be demand driven than supply driven.
Mr Arora said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will increase the number of solar pumps in the state. Apart from this, a policy is also being formulated by the PEDA to make productive use of the stubble, he added.
Earlier, CEO PEDA Dr Amarpal Singh in his keynote address said the action plan on energy efficiency would majorly highlight on reduction of carbon emissions and measures of energy efficiency and stressed the need for the action plan to put in the public domain to seek a suggestions and feedback.
Secretary BEE Milind Deore briefed about the importance and involvement of various stakeholders for implementation of energy efficiency projects in the State which will boost economy and energy efficiency.
Chairman PEDA S. HS Hanspal said that Punjab is now being considered to play a leading role in the energy transition in India by deployment of clean and low-carbon solutions and renewable energy to fulfil renewable purchase obligations.
Project Manager ASSOCHAM Mohit Tripathi and Project Coordinator ASSOCHAM Aashish Kudal gave a detailed presentation on the State Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Punjab highlighting the possibility of energy efficiency in various focus sectors including Buildings, Industries, Transport, and agriculture.
The proposed strategy in Punjab’s State Energy Efficiency Action Plan gives a potential energy savings target of 0.7345 MTOE (Million tons of oil equivalent) by 2025 & 1.8952 Mtoe by 2030 for the State in the ambitious scenario.
The comprehensive report for advancing the transportation sector, implementing a program for replacing inefficient appliances in buildings, instituting BEE Star ratings and Shunya ratings for buildings, and introducing energy efficiency measures in industries, agriculture were shared among stakeholders.
Director PEDA Mr MP Singh, Vivek Atray, Chairman- ASSOCHAM UT Council of Policy Advocacy, Joint Director PEDA Kulbir Singh Sandhu and senior officials from several government departments including Professionals from various organisations were also present in the workshop.