CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: Meghalaya has secured the second prize in the Group-D category at the prestigious National Energy Conservation Awards for the second consecutive year. Organized by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, the award recognizes Meghalaya’s sustained efforts in promoting energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and fostering sustainability.
The awards ceremony, graced by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik, celebrated the exemplary contributions of various states towards achieving national energy conservation goals. Meghalaya was lauded for its impactful energy-saving initiatives that align with the broader objective of reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy.
Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal highlighted the state’s comprehensive energy-saving measures, including investments in renewable energy, adoption of energy-efficient technologies, and progressive policies such as the Meghalaya Energy Conservation Regulation 2017. This regulation encourages the use of BEE star-rated appliances, bans inefficient lighting systems, and promotes sustainable practices in public procurement. He emphasized that these efforts, coupled with initiatives like the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2021, aim to achieve 15% electric vehicle adoption by 2025. Mondal credited Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for his unwavering support and acknowledged the contributions of consumers and stakeholders in implementing energy conservation practices. He noted that the recognition is based on the State Energy Efficiency Index, which evaluates policies, activities, and sectoral progress in areas like industry, transport, municipalities, and buildings.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Power Department, Sanjay Goyal, underscored the importance of fostering a sustainable power infrastructure. He stated that Meghalaya is not only focused on meeting current energy needs but also on enhancing service reliability and ensuring long-term sustainability. Initiatives like the establishment of a Demand Side Management Cell within MePDCL, supported by BEE, and efforts to reduce transmission and distribution losses, currently at 17.53%, were highlighted as key achievements.
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