A preliminary energy survey of three major seafood processing plants near Kochi has found that energy savings in the range of 15 to 20 per cent can be achieved with retrofitting, repairs and technology upgradation and involving a payback period of less than two years.
In real terms, it means that the three seafood processors would be able to save up to four lakh units of power every year as their present combined consumption is in the range of 32 lakh units a year.
The survey was conducted under the aegis of Society of Energy Engineers and Managers (SEEM) and ADEME, the French government counterpart of Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
The Society of Energy Engineers and Managers is a pan-India body of certified energy managers, engaged in energy efficiency programmes. The joint energy efficiency programme by the two agencies had identified seafood industry in Kerala and ceramics industry in Gujarat, said R. Jayakumar, National Joint Secretary, SEEM.
Engineers from the two agencies on Wednesday visited the seafood plants that underwent energy survey to take stock of the improvements that were needed. The French team comprises energy experts Bruno Georges Roland Chretien, Francois Vial and Youmna Wehbe Ep Romitti.
Mr. Jayakumar said seafood companies had already begun works for improving energy efficiency. The two agencies engaged in energy survey would also help the companies finance the improvements that were needed for better efficiency, he said.
The two agencies are organising an interactive session for seafood exporters here on Thursday on energy efficiency opportunities in the industry from the technology perspective. The objective of the effort is to create a knowledge-sharing platform with the help of the industries for the benefit of all stakeholders.
SEEM also plans all-India Energy Clusters, which would inspire industrial units to adopt energy efficiency measures with the help of experts in the domain. The cluster development was expected to considerably reduce carbon footprint, said a handout of the project.
