Inaugurating the Annual National Energy Conservation Day at a function, Mr Pranab Mukherjee Hon'ble President of India said that it is worthwhile to note that policies to promote energy efficiency, along with high energy prices and structural changes in the Indian economy towards the services sector have resulted in a sharp decline in energy intensity of the Indian economy. This is a direct contribution of policies to reduce energy use during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period which has yielded 10,836 MW of avoided generation capacity.
Mr Mukherjee informed the gathering that the nations' demand for energy will double in a short while and the demand for imported energy is likely to increase by 8 per cent annually. He also advocated an equitable and multilateral response to climate change for effective reduction of energy consumption. He added that enforcement of energy conservation policies is critical to climate change.
He congratulated the award winners from various industries for working together with the government in its endeavor to promote sustainable development. Calling for an inclusive approach to energy conservation, the President called for greater involvement of the citizens, he said that we have to promote, universal access to energy, while, at the same time, promoting energy efficiency and a shift to cleaner energy sources is imperative. Today's children are the citizens and nation builders of tomorrow. The National Painting Competition organized every year by the Ministry of Power has seen involvement of school children in spreading the message of energy conservation in the country. We have great expectations from our children and hope and pray that they will excel in diverse fields and make the country proud.He also handed over the prizes to several industrial units and other establishments on the occasion. The awardees represented Industries; Hotels and Hospitals; Office Buildings; Zonal Railways; State Designated Agencies; Thermal Power Stations and Manufacturers of Electrical Appliances carrying star labels certified by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. He also presented the prizes to 13 winners of the National Level Painting Competition under the National Campaign on Energy Conservation undertaken by the Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The competition is held every year at the School, State and National Levels. This year, the competition saw a record participation from 72,532 schools and 30.90 lakhs students from across the country.
Mr Jyotiraditya Scindia Hon'ble Minister of State for Power said that industrial units and other establishments, which have participated in this year award scheme of the Ministry of Power, have been collectively able to save 616 MW of equivalent avoided capacity. The total annual energy savings worth INR 2,886 crores is achieved by all participating units of National Energy Conservation Award Scheme 2012. This shows the wonderful results that can be achieved by a few enlightened units. One can imagine the quantum of achievement if most of our industrial units follow the lead given and take up Energy Conservation in right earnest.
Mr Scindia added that children are the best agents of change and should be made aware of energy saving mechanisms and practices and they will be the ambassadors of energy conservation.
