VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has bagged the National Energy Conservation Award-2017 for the best SDA (State Designated Agency). It was third consecutive time that the State is receiving the award.
Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy R K Singh presented the award in Delhi on Thursday at a programme organised to mark the National Energy Conservation Day. A Chandrasekhar Reddy, CEO/APSECM (State Energy Conservation Mission), received the award.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister, who hailed the innovative measures of Andhra Pradesh government in energy conservation, advised all other States to emulate AP model in implementing energy conservation programmes, especially in rural areas.
After the conclusion of the award ceremony, RK Singh in an informal meeting with the officials of the southern states emphasised the need for enhancing the energy efficiency programs which helps in nation’s economic development and environmental protection.
Considering AP’s excellent performance even in the areas of the renewable energy sector, the Government of India has sanctioned a grant of `345 crore towards the installation of 31,000 solar pump sets (20% subsidy on the cost of the pump). Meanwhile, Heritage Foods won the second prize of National Energy Conservation Awards-2017 in the dairy sector. Nara Brahmani, Executive Director of Heritage Foods received award for coming secon in energy conservation in dairy sector.
“We are a 25-year-old company and we are taking a lot of initiatives to improve energy efficiency. Renewable energy is our major focus area and in the last ten years, it is the eighth year that Heritage Foods is receiving the award,” she said.