Energy conservation in five locations including TTD

Vijayawada: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Union Ministry of Power would initiate energy conservation programmes with a view also to promoting sustainable tourism in India.

BEE has selected the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam(TTD) in Andhra Pradesh along with four other tourist locations in Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir for a feasibility study to identify and adopt strategies to achieve net-zero energy consumption.  

In a virtual review meeting between BEE, TTD and state energy department, TTD executive officer Jawahar Reddy welcomed the feasibility study and hoped this would pave the way for improving energy efficiency at tourist sites and their surroundings.

“The ultimate objective of TTD and the state government is to improve the existing facilities for devotees, keeping the requirements of the future in mind and make the TTD the best energy-efficient tourist destination in the world.”

Reddy said TTD would replace water pumping systems with energy-efficient pump sets and existing fans with energy-efficient BLDC fans, LED lighting and solar rooftop systems etc for energy savings and to reduce electricity bills.

Energy secretary Srikant Nagulapalli said various initiatives of the state so far helped save energy of around 5600mu worth around Rs 3500 crore, also meaning a reduction of around 4.7 million tonnes of CO2. He said all necessary help would be extended to TTD from the energy department through APSECM, APSEEDCO and NREDCAP in the implementation of energy efficiency initiatives and renewable energy projects that would help make TTD a net-zero energy destination.  

Director-general of BEE, Abhay Bhakre, MD NREDCAP, Ramana Reddy and senior officials were present.