Energy consumption will rise to 2000 MT by 2020: Parikh

Chennai, Dec 6 (UNI) Planning Commission Member (Energy) Kirit S Parikh today said the country's total energy consumption is expected to grow to 1500-2000 MT by 2020 from 500 MT now.

While delivering the keynote address during a two-day seminar on energy conservation, he said ''the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), has already implemented norms in electrical equipment.'' ''The Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) will formulate strategies and a complete roadmap for implementation of setting fuel efficiency standards in Automobile Sector that offers the potential of increasing its efficiency by 50 per cent.'' Secretary, Petroleum&Natural Gas M S Srinivasan, said ''Economic progress is driven by hydrocarbon energy. Hydrocarbon primacy will remain for another three to four decades and so will the IC Engines.'' He said ''we can not stop people's aspirations for ownership of cars, but what we can certainly do is to call in for the most efficient technology in place''.

While appreciating the initiative of PCRA in setting fuel efficiency standards, Mr Srinivasan said, ''Efficiency is dependent on the driver, the driving habits, taxation, incentives and most importantly the engine technology.'' UNI