Cut wasteful expenditure of energy: President

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today said wasteful expenditure of energy should be reduced while monitoring energy consumption patterns.

''I would call on all individuals, businesses, corporate organisations, Government offices and others to look at their energy consumption patterns and cut out wasteful expenditure of energy,'' she said.

Over the past few years several energy efficient gadgets have been introduced that curtail electricity consumption, the President said.

''Continuous R&D efforts should be made for making available machinery, vehicles and gadgets that have lower energy intensity. I strongly urge all large public and private buildings in the country to find scope for energy savings in their premises and implement measures to achieve these savings,'' she said at the inauguration of the National Energy Conservation Day 2007 here.

The energy savings movement in buildings needs to grow exponentially, she said.

''Regular energy audits are very useful in monitoring progress made in this regard. Energy thus saved could be made available for those who do not have access to it or have a greater requirement for energy,'' she said.

The President said each individual can be a motivator for energy efficiency and such like-minded individuals can join forces to launch a national energy efficiency movement.

''Energy plays a key role in achieving the goals of sustainable development and poverty eradication,'' she said.

The country faces with the formidable task of meeting the increasing demand for energy.

''The effort would be three pronged - to enhance supply, use resources available in an optimal and economical manner and on the demand side look at ways to save energy,'' she said.

Technological advances can contribute in large measure to this process. Energy efficient equipment should be manufactured both for industrial and domestic use, she added.

Similarly, the process of manufacturing should be such that it cuts down on energy consumption at every stage, the President said.

''We would also have to ensure that there is better distribution electricity as there are a large number of instances of power loss in transmission and there are also cases of power theft,'' she said.

She emphasised on educating the people that energy is a resource that needs to be used judiciously.

The President gave away the Energy Conservation Awards to 42 outstanding achievements by industrial units, buildings and zonal Railways and also prizes to children who won the national painting competition on energy conservation and energy efficiency.

UNI