WBSEB stresses on energy audit and conservation

Kolkata, Apr 10 (UNI) The West Bengal State Electricity Board has decided to invest about Rs 1000 crore to improve the state's power scenario by next year.

Talking to newsperson at a seminar 'Energy audit and conservation' here today, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry president S.Radhakrishnan said promotion of energy efficiency and conservation is found to be the least cost option to augment the gap between demand and supply.

He said it is necessary to be aware of the implications of Energy Conservation Act 2001, that provides institutional arrangement and a regulatory mechanism at the Central and State level to embark upon energy efficiency drive in the country.

Energy conservation potential for the economy as a whole has been assessed at 23 per cent with maximum potential in industrial and agricultural sectors.

Talking on the occasion, WBSEB (Distribution) CMD M.K.De said the state faces maximum power deficit of 400-500 MW during peak hours, that is from 6.30 PM to 10 PM, and to overcome this crisis the board has taken certain initiatives like setting up new substations and computerised meters as well as capacitor banks, to bring down the reactive or useless power.

Stressing on the need of energy audit, he said several office buildings, hotels and hospitals have energy saving potential of 20-30 per cent but that is largely untapped.

He said according to the Act, the new buildings were required to be designed and built in such a way so that the energy could be saved from the initial stages.

'' The board is planning to constitute Committee of Experts for preparation of Energy Conservation Building Codes for different climatic zones,'' he added.

Besides, he said, the board had started spotbilling systems in some parts of the city to check power theft and have set up call centres, in association with Webel, to solve the queries of the customers with regard to power.

UNI