Punjab State Energy Action Plan launched for energy efficiency
Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 May, 2023 02:02 PM
Chandigarh, May 10 (IANS) The Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Department on Wednesday launched Punjab State Energy Action Plan to ensure promotion of energy efficiency in buildings, industries, municipalities, agriculture, transport and other sectors.
The action plan is aimed at assisting government departments and agencies to adopt the most sustainable, long-term and inter-sectoral renewable and clean energy plans.
Additional Chief Secretary A. Venu Prasad, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) Chairman H.S. Hanspal and head of Indo-German Energy Programme GIZ, Winfried Damm, also launched decision support tool and Amritsar smart city portal and renewable purchase obligations (RPO) portal for the state.
Amritsar will be developed as solar city, Prasad said while adding the energy action plan will help achieving goals towards net zero in each sector.
PEDA signed a pact with GIZ's IGEN Access to Energy programme funded by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany for seeking technical assistance with the help of experienced team of consultants and representatives of over 20 departments and organisations.
Emphasising on the need of fast-tracking implementation of the action plan and review the progress quarterly, Prasad asked all departments to come forward to equip their office buildings with solar panels to decarbonise the power sector, which will help in reducing power consumption charges to 25 to 30 per cent.
Hanspal said PEDA is the state designated agency of government for implementation of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, and the vision of the PEDA to achieve net-zero goals by 2070.
Appreciating the efforts of PEDA for taking the lead to prepare this unique document, Indo-German Energy Programme GIZ head Damm explained the importance of long-term energy planning to meet India's ambition on achieving the net-zero goal.
He emphasised on the role of all government departments and citizens of the state in realising the targets set at international stage.
He also shared examples from different European nations and their sectoral initiatives to decarbonise their economy, mostly by 2050, Germany by 2045.
Youth Congress national president Srinivas BV said that within a span of a few months, the AAP government has shown Punjab everything which was unimaginable.
Earlier in the day Bishnoi had alleged that the Punjab police can do mishappening with him under political pressure. His plea has been accepted by the Delhi High Court which will hear arguments in the matter. Moosewala's autopsy revealed that he had 24 bullet injuries whereas 30 rounds were fired.
A team of Punjab Police along with sleuths of the Uttarakhand STF had arrested Manpreet Singh from Dehradun on Monday. He was suspected to have provided "key logistical support" in the murder of the Punjabi singer.
It is learnt that the AK-47 assault rifle was used in the crime as its bullet shells were recovered from the crime scene. The Punjab police is not leaving any stone unturned in its probe in the matter.
The Chief Minister, while acceding to the request of Balkar Singh Sidhu, the father of slain singer, said the state government will be requesting the Chief Justice of the High Court to get the case enquired into by a sitting judge.
Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Tikait was attacked with black paint during a press conference at Bengaluru on 'Raita Chaluvali, Aatmavalokana haagu Spasteekarana Sabha (Farmer's Movement, Introspection and Clarification Meeting)' organised by Karnataka State Farmers Association, affiliated to the SKM, and Hasiru Sene.
