National Conclave on Energy Efficiency in MSME begins

New Delhi: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Road Transport & Highways and RK Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship jointly inaugurated the National Conclave on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in MSME sector here on Monday. The two-day Conclave is being organized by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) with participation from MSME entrepreneurs, Industry Associations, technology and service providers, sectoral energy experts and senior officials from the Government. Along with the Conclave, the Ministers also inaugurated an Exhibition displaying Energy Efficient Technologies for MSME Sector.

In his inaugural address at National Conclave on Energy Efficiency, Gadkari said the initiative will help MSMEs by taking this sector towards sustainable and green pathway. "Energy is the driving force for all the economic activities including MSME sector. Making efforts towards energy conservation and taking appropriate measures to mitigate carbon emissions is our key priority", said the Minister. He also added that "Energy efficiency measures would reduce MSMEs' power bills and make them competitive in the international market." The Minister further said that the Government is committed to the development of MSMEs with an objective to transform the sector through green and sustainable initiatives towards high growth.

Speaking on the occasion, R K Singh said that "Industrial energy demand in India has almost doubled in the last five years and it is expected to go up by over three times between 2012 and 2040. Therefore, adopting energy efficiency Initiatives and following best practices in this regard would be helpful in reducing the energy demand and strengthening energy security"

The Minister further said that the upcoming New Tariff Policy proposes DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) method for transfer of power subsidies and this would incentivize energy saving by consumers. He also stressed upon the need to make electricity prices rationale for MSMEs. Towards this end, the New Tariff Policy provides a trajectory to reduce cross-subsidies, he said.

Development Commissioner (MSME) stated that the Indian MSME base is one of the largest in the world, after China.

The Ministers also released Energy Conservation Guidelines for MSMEs and launched the Knowledge Management Portal "Sidhiee" under the BEE's MSME Programme. This portal will host useful information including fifty videos of multimedia tutorials for MSMEs for early adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

During the inaugural session, an MoU for enhancing energy security in MSMEs was also signed between the Development Commissioner, MSME and DG, Bureau of Energy Efficiency for developing a long term roadmap for enhancing energy efficiency and security for the MSME Sector through focused intervention.

Abhay Bakre, DG, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Additional Secretary, Power and Rajpal, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Power also addressed the gatehring.