With a view to going green, the sugar industry was asked to implement the PAT scheme, amarket based mechanism to improve energy efficiency during the two-day ‘Green Sugar Summit-2013’ organised by CII here on Friday.
In order to achieve sustainable development and energy conservation, the Indian Government introduced the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in 2008, which has eight national missions. PAT (Perform, Achieve and Trade) is one of the key initiatives under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE), a key constituent of NAPCC, which functions under the supervision of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
“PAT enables large industries to conserve energy, thereby improving energy efficiency. Those industries which conserve energy to the maximum level will be given energy saving certificates, which can be traded,” said K K Chakarvarti, Energy Economist, BEE.
Through PAT, an industry can benefit in two ways – one by reducing manufacturing cost and earnings through selling its energy saving certificates, he said. “Till now eight designated consumers – thermal power stations, fertilisers, cement, iron and steel, chlor-alkali, aluminium, textile and pulp and paper – are implementing this PAT scheme,” he said.
Speaking to City Express, L S Ganapati, Chairman, CII, said, “Sugar industry is one of the oldest industries in India. Over the years, it has crossed many hindrances like energy constraints and competitive commodities. Now, the industry should be rejuvenated”.
He also added, “This summit will provide cross fertilisation of ideas by replicating best practices and enable the industry to implement PAT scheme.”