The Centre is likely to come out with either a policy framework or a suitable legislation which makes it mandatory for companies, institutions and homes to consider setting up of solar installations and energy efficiency measures, according to Kirit Somaiya, MP and Chairman of Energy Committee of Parliament.

Speaking on the sidelines of the CII Energy Summit here on Friday, Somaiya said the Government has charted out an ambitious target of 1,75,000 MW of renewable energy capacity in the country by 2022, which includes 40,000 MW of solar rooftop installations.

“The target would be achieved when we take this up on a mission mode,” he said.

The legislation or policy being considered is aimed at achieving this objective.

Referring to the recent solar power project powering the Cochin International Airport, he said he would call upon those concerned to take up a similar initiative for the proposed Navi Mumbai Airport.

Speaking at the14{+t}{+h} CII Energy Summit 2015, Naushad Forbes, President-Designate of CII, said, “Over the last few years, energy efficiency measures adopted by industries in the country has brought about savings of about 3 per cent in the overall consumption and industrial output has increased by 4 per cent.”

In order to further accelerate the energy efficiency movement, he said industry should set targets upfront and work towards reducing energy consumption.

There is potential to reduce energy consumption by about 10 per cent per annum by improving efficiencies. In the process industries, where steam generators are used, there is potential to save more than ₹2,500 crore a year, Forbes said.

Ajay Mathur, Director-General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency, mentioned about how the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme has played a big role in working towards energy efficiency.

Industry scenario The cement and fertiliser industries in the country are amongst the efficient in the world but other energy-intensive sectors such as iron and steel and paper need to improve their performance benchmarking against efficient projects across the world.

Mathur further said that there is a need to accelerate the programme of energy efficiency. The steel and paper industries could play a big role in driving this efficiency.

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