The Hindu Business Line : Energy conservation campaign helps save 11.34 MW last year

The energy conservation campaign launched by the Energy Management Centre in Kerala helped save 11.34 megawatts of power last year, the Minister for Electricity, Mr A.K. Balan, said in the State Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to questions, the Minister said that 400 energy conservation clubs were functioning in schools in the State. The Government has now allocated Rs. 2 crore for establishing an Energy Management Institute.

The Minister said that solar energy panels would be installed to meet the power requirements of the Secretariat. The demand for power in the State, however, could not be met through non-conventional energy sources alone, he noted.

In reply to another question, the Minister said that transmission loss of power in the State had come down to 24 per cent and it would be totally eliminated by 2011. A non-conventional energy industrial park will be set up in association with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra).

The Minister for Housing, Mr. Benoy Viswam, informed the members that ‘Nirmithi’ would set up margin-free shops for selling building materials at reasonable prices. An amount of Rs. 50 lakh has been allocated for setting up these shops.

The Kerala State Housing Board will distribute title-deeds of flats to the allottees without delay and they have already been given in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. The board will also take the initiative to provide common amenities such as parking space and children’s park near the flats.

The Minister said that the board had to repay loan worth Rs. 600 crore to HUDCO and the Government was trying for a one-time settlement of the dues. The board was also considering entering into partnerships with private companies to build flats in different parts of the State, he added.

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