Introduction of strict energy audit in industry
The Government for strict energy audit in industry is working out technical parameters.
In this context, it is also considering the idea of introducing a heat management law in the country, like the one that exists in Japan (from as far back as 1958).
During an interactive session on `Enhancing energy efficiency to build competitiveness', organised jointly by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Petroleum Conservation Research Association on Monday, Dr Shashi Sekhar, Director, Energy Management Centre, Ministry of Power, mentioned the post of an accredited Energy Auditor was being created for this purpose.
Besides energy levelling, steps are also being considered to enforce energy efficiency (also in terms of equipment usage) on industry, considering that the country's existing oil and gas reserves will last only another two decades, he added.
Under the proposed norms, industry will be asked to submit some sort of a balance sheet of energy efficiency practised over a fixed time-frame (as prescribed in the Energy Bill 2001).
Energy utilities with a poor balance sheet will be subjected to a close energy audit, under the revised parameters.
While hinting at various policy initiatives now under consideration to improve overall energy efficiency in the country, Dr Sekhar said that despite a low per capita consumption of energy, India has an energy intensity that is 3.5 times that of Japan and twice that of the US. Calling for greater energy security, he said that the Government was sceptical of the nuclear power option.
Mr A.V. Lodha, President of ICC, stressed the crucial areas in the energy sector requiring extensive and effective discussions are demand side management and energy audits.
