Delhi govt to conduct Energy Audits of its buildings, commercial malls, plazas, high-rises

New Delhi [India], September 13 : In a bid to reduce electricity consumption and promote energy efficiency, the Delhi Government will conduct an 'energy audit' of its buildings, offices, and streetlights. The primary objective of this energy audit is to pinpoint areas of excessive energy use and devise strategies to manage and control it, said Delhi's Power Ministry.
Apart from government buildings, all commercial malls, plazas, hospitals, institutional buildings, multi-story and high-rise non-residential buildings, industries, etc., with an approved load of 500 kilowatts or more will also be required to undergo a detailed energy audit as per the regulations of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
A notification regarding this matter will be issued by the government soon, said officials.
According to it, all existing and new commercial malls, plazas, hospitals, multi-storey and high-rise non-residential buildings, industries, government, boards, or corporation-owned buildings, and buildings of the Water Supply Department (in addition to consumers specified in the Energy Conservation Act, 2001) with an approved load of 500 kilowatts or more will be required to undergo a comprehensive energy audit conducted by a certified energy auditor appointed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
All such consumers must complete the energy audit within 6 months of the notification. Additionally, they will be required to conduct an energy audit once every three years and implement the recommendations of the audit report.
Regarding the energy audits of government buildings and street lights across the national capital, Delhi Power Minister Atishi Marlena said, "The Kejriwal government is committed to conserving every unit of electricity. To achieve this, an energy audit will be conducted of all government buildings under the Delhi government. This process involves measuring the actual energy consumption of various devices and appliances within the buildings, comparing it with the estimated minimum energy required for the processes, and then identifying economically and technically feasible methods to achieve energy saving."
She also highlighted that the audit will provide recommendations for optimizing energy usage, resulting in both energy and cost savings in electricity bills.
The Power Minister further emphasized, "It is said that saving one unit of energy at the user end is equivalent to 2 units generated at the power plant. The energy-saving measures derived from these audits will help stabilize Delhi's overall power demand. Moreover, energy audits will not only propose ways to minimize energy consumption in government buildings but will also alleviate the financial burden on the exchequer. Additionally, this initiative will contribute to reducing CO2 emissions."
Atishi added that “the Delhi Government's power department has made the 'energy audit' of government buildings a priority and is working on it in mission mode.”
The Power Minister highlighted that the Kejriwal government's proactive stance toward energy conservation and efficiency, as evidenced by these comprehensive energy audits, represents a significant stride toward a greener and more sustainable future for Delhi. By identifying energy wastage areas and implementing effective measures, this initiative not only underscores a commitment to responsible governance but also constitutes a crucial step in easing the strain on resources and mitigating environmental impact.