Energy Conservation Week observed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 12 2024:
Power Minister Thongam Biswajit has highlighted the positive strides made by India in energy conservation while stressing on the importance of sustainable consumption of energy.
He was speaking at the celebration of National Energy Conservation Week organised by Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) at Shemrock Kids Garden, Thawanthaba Leikai, Ayangpalli accompanied with distribution of Energy Conservation Awards 2024 .
The event was held under the aegis of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Government of India under the theme "Green Transformation and Energy Conservation".
Notable dignitaries present include H Santikumar, Managing Director, MSPDCL; Heikrujam Shitaljit Meetei, General Manager (Finance), MSPDCL and Wangkheimayum Bidyalakshmi, Director, Shemrock Kids Garden as the presidium members.
Addressing the gathering, Th Biswajit stated that energy is one of the most important resources necessary in industrialization and development of a country, but excessive energy consumption has led to global warming and climate change.
Hence, there is a need for judicious energy consumption, said the Minister.
Emphasizing the progress made by the Government in the energy sector, Biswajit said that on November 30, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande signed the International Solar Alliance which is a global initiative to promote solar energy as a sustainable solution for energy access and climate change.
While India's solar energy potential is estimated to be 748 GW, the actual installed solar capacity is 90 GW.
India aims to acquire 50% of its total energy consumption from renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emission by 1 billion metric tonnes by 2030 and finally achieve net zero carbon emission by 2070, he added.
At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana (rooftop solar energy) in February, 2024.In Manipur, 2570 consumers have registered for the scheme while roof top solar panel installations have commenced for 64 consumers.
Plans to construct a wind power plant at Phangrei in Ukhrul district are in the pipeline.
Additionally, 19 mini hydel power plants were found to be viable for the State out of 29 plants discussed.
Assessments are underway to start work on the Nungleiband Hydel Power Plant and Loktak Downstream Project.