In view of the momentum gained in the State in energy efficiency activities, the Energy Efficiency Services Limited is keen on investing Rs. 5,000 crore in the State in the next five years for implementation of energy efficiency and energy conservation (EC & EE) programmes, Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, has said. The EESL MD was in the city recently for a review of the EC&EE activities of the State, especially the LED street light project of the city.
“Noting the immense savings in power and cost, the Government of India is keen on replicating the Visakhapatnam LED street-lighting model in 100 major cities across the country.
The ultimate objective of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to make India one of the best countries in energy efficiency which paves way for economic development of the country,” B.P. Pandey, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Power, and in-charge of National Programme on LED street-lighting, said.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has achieved a savings of 43 per cent in power bills from January to July compared to the same period last year. Last year the street-lighting (from January to July) with conventional high-power lamps, consumed 136.40 lakh units costing Rs. 1,146.40 lakh. This year after all street lights were fixed with LED lamps, the power consumption was 81.41 lakh units and the power bill was Rs. 649.18 lakh, GVMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar told the visiting delegates.
Senior GM of EESL Pavan Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director AP EPDCL R Mutyala Raju, CEO of State Energy Commission A. Chandra Sekhara Reddy and representatives of Bureau of Energy Efficiency of the Government of India participated in the meeting.
However, the urban local body was facing issues in maintenance of the LED street lights.
Managing Director of EESL promised to resolve the issues pertaining to identification of non-glowing lights in the absence of Central monitoring system, frequent failures of drivers of LED lamps and surge protection devices, requirement of spares and manpower.
