The Hindu Business Line : Power cuts

In undertaking daily routines, domestic consumers and industrial consumers should try to economise, by switching off lights and fans when not needed, and using geysers and air-conditioners sparingly. Flash advertisings by companies should be curtailed. Power companies should levy penal charges if the consumption crosses specified limits. These small steps will save a lot of energy and the need for power cuts can be minimised. Solar energy, being a renewable source, can be harnessed for producing low-grade heat for cooking, heating, water desalination and drying of foodgrains, vegetables, timber, etc.

Using silicon-based photovoltaic cell, we can install highly-efficient and cost-effective 100 MW solar power plants. Solar energy is freely renewable and its supply is abundant.

Wind is a natural gift and we can tap the energy in wind farms. Huge amounts of energy can be tapped from cyclones and tornados at Andaman and Nicobar Islands and select spots along the long coastline. Research on the use of jatropha, ethanol, sugarcane molasses should be expedited and abundant energy made available to meet the staggering demand of a fast growing economy such as India.

Instead of subsidising petroleum and nuclear energy enterprises, we need to research on technological solutions and focus on wind energy, bio-diesel and hydro power. — *T. S. Sundareswaran, email

Small units, which also contribute to the growth process, are hard hit in several States on account of power cuts. The attitude of States towards small and medium enterprises goes against the growth strategy of Gandhiji, who had advocated production by the masses instead of mass production. No power cuts must be imposed on units of production. Load shedding must be minimum — once a week, at the most. All States must consider and implement power sector reforms. Pilferage of electricity must be stopped and illegal and unauthorised connections must be cut.

There must be no free electricity to any category of consumers. All States must entrust power distribution to an independent corporate. State electricity boards, which are bureaucratic and corruption-ridden, must be closed down. States must encourage use of solar power. — K.K. Ammannaya, email

Power cuts affect small-scale units a lot. There is loss of production and profit. Power generation should be given top priority, especially by using solar energy. We get sunlight almost throughout the year. Biogas production can be stepped up. Hydroelectric power is not generated to full capacity.

Efficiency of thermal power stations can be increased. Thefts of electricity should not go unpunished. Now thorium is available and nuclear energy production can be increased. The electricity minister should be young, dynamic and technical educated. — V. Ramjee, email

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