Hyderabad, August 28: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday blamed the improper usage or wastage of electricity, especially in Hyderabad, for the on-going energy crisis in the State.
Addressing the Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas or Renewable Energy Day organised by New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd (NREDCAPL) at Ravindra Bharathi, the Chief Minister said that the energy shortage could be avoided if all the citizens consciously use the electrical and electronic equipments. Stating that the State capital needs better energy management, he said that each household should be involved in power saving drive.
Citing an instance, he said many people switch off their television set using remote control which continues to consume regular power. Instead, he said that the television sets should be switched off using the main switch. Similarly, other gadgets like geysers, computers or even mobile chargers should be used properly and should be switched off when not in use. Stating that each single unit saved by the consumers would actually save 1.25 units that gets lost in transmission and distribution. Similarly methods should be adopted by the industries to save power.
The Chief Minister informed that the State Government has been spending Rs 5,000 crore on power subsidy. Of 2.25 crore connections, there are 52 lakh agricultural connections which are enjoying power subsidy. Stating that there was a huge shortage of natural gas, coal and other fuels, he said that the government was focusing on promoting non-conventional energy sources like solar and wind-power to overcome the crisis. He said that the available resources would be sufficient enough to provide power for the next 50 years, if they were used intelligently.
Major Industries Minister Dr J Geetha Reddy listed out the measures being taken by the government to encourage mini-hydel and bio-gas power plants in the State.
The NREDCAP officials informed the Chief Minister that so far 4.06 lakh family size Biogas plants have been installed to meet cooking energy needs of rural population. Similarly, 34.16 lakh Improved Chulhas have been distributed/installed to provide smokeless kitchens in rural areas. In addition 1105.633 MW capacity renewable energy power projects have been installed up to July 2012 and the largest solar steam cooking system has been installed at Tirumala with a capacity of 30,000 meals per day.
The NREDCAP has also installed about 40 lakh Solar Water Heating systems. Under off gird programme, 1260 KWp capacity Standalone Solar Power Plants have been set up upto 2011-12 and 207 KWp projects are under implementation. In as many as 13 remote un-electrified tribal hamlets, Solar Home lighting systems and Solar street lighting systems have been installed under Remote Village Electrification programme.
Later, the Chief Minister also administered the pledge to students that they would consciously avoid excessive consumption of energy derived from conventional sources and increase the use of renewable energy.
Ministers M Mukesh Goud, Basvaraj Saraiah and G Prasad Kumar, MLC MS Prabhakar, MLA Jogi Ramesh and senior officials attended the programme.
- INN
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