Chhattisgarh Deputy CM orders energy audits and solar initiatives for all urban bodies in State

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister and minister of urban administration and development Arun Sao has directed all 184 urban bodies in the state to conduct electricity bills and energy audits. He emphasized the use of solar energy wherever possible instead of traditional energy sources. He instructed the officials of the Urban Administration Department to address the issue of delayed electricity bill payments due to budget constraints, which often result in additional charges and arrears. Conducting these audits will help identify ways to save on energy and reduce costs.

Sao stressed the need to promote the use of green energy in urban bodies to save electricity costs and improve the environment. He directed that the energy audit work be carried out in phases by third-party professional agencies.

Urban bodies have a significant number of electrical connections for various public amenities such as water supply and street lighting. Thousands of electricity meters have been installed by the Electricity Department in all 184 urban bodies across the state. Monthly meter readings are taken, and electricity bills are issued to these bodies, resulting in substantial monthly expenditures. Often, additional charges and arrears lead to extra payments to the Electricity Department. Each year, the Urban Administration Department transfers about Rs 100 to 200 crore to the Electricity Department for the adjustment of electricity bills. Currently, approximately Rs 800 crore are pending, causing a continuous increase in surcharge amounts.

Given this situation, the Deputy Chief Minister, during a departmental review meeting, instructed officials to conduct electricity bill audits and energy audits in urban bodies. This will provide a clear assessment of actual electricity consumption and unnecessary surcharge payments. Policies will be prepared to reduce electricity consumption and establish solar power plants following the audit. This could lead to long-term savings of about Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore. Additionally, the use of green energy will earn carbon credits for the urban bodies.

Sao stated that the savings could be used for infrastructure development and new plans to provide basic amenities to citizens. Including solar energy in energy management and reducing the use of thermal energy will also promote environmental sustainability.

The Deputy Chief Minister has instructed that urban bodies be made energy efficient through the maximum use of solar energy. The Urban Administration Department is preparing an action plan for a pilot project to conduct energy audits to gather accurate information on electricity consumption in urban bodies. Through these audits, irregularities and deficiencies in the system will be identified, and the analysis of electricity bills will promote the use of energy-efficient equipment, reduce consumption, and adopt alternative systems such as solar energy in a phased manner. The Government of India has also launched innovative schemes like PM Kusum, PM Suryoday, and PM Suryaghar to promote solar energy over traditional energy sources.