The Gujarat government is planning to launch a comprehensive scheme to help State-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) reduce their energy consumption as well as carbon footprint using latest technologies in conservation.

The project will be launched soon by the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), the State’s nodal agency for promotion of energy-efficient technologies. According to GEDA Director JT Akhani, there is huge potential in the MSME sector for conservation as well as reuse of energy consumed by these units. As per a rough estimate, there are around three lakh MSME units operational in Gujarat. “MSMEs account for a large share of energy consumption. Our aim is to reduce their consumption. The sector has the potential to save 25 to 30 per cent of energy consumed at present. However, this concept of energy conservation is not very popular among them,” Akhani said.

Keeping in mind these factors, GEDA has devised a long-term plan to make these units more energy efficient by suggesting new techniques for saving as well as reusing energy for their needs.

“We plan to launch a scheme to promote use of waste heat, which is usually emitted in the form of air in these units,” said Akhani.

“Capturing and reusing such waste heat in factories would become very crucial for the industry in reducing their energy bill,” he said.

Savings potential

Providing more insight into the ambitious scheme, GEDA’s senior executive engineer Raju Pandya said Gujarat based units have a potential to save 2,500 MW of electricity by adopting simple, yet effective ways to harness the waste heat.

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