Firms to use green tech,bring down electricity bills: Sukhbir

Following the model adopted by Madhya Pradesh government in Indore,Punjab will be roping in companies to cut down power bills in its cities and towns by encouraging them to adopt ‘green technology’. The government is in the process of inviting expression of interest (EOI) from companies to install LED street lights in all 142 towns of the state and has already divided Punjab into seven zones for the purpose. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal announced the measures while inaugurating the Conference of Power Reforms for the North,at a seminar on power reforms organised at CII on Friday.

Badal said that under the model,companies will set up their own street lights,study power usage and share power savings. “The benefit will pass on to the consumer by cutting down their monthly power bills. After becoming power surplus,the next aim of our government is to supply cheaper power,” he said,while slamming media and opposition parties for making a mockery of his statement of making Punjab power surplus. “My announcement was ridiculed as a futile dream. But we have made making the state power surplus our mission. By the end of 2013,power projects will generate 14,487 MW of power against 6,591 MW that was being generated when SAD-BJP government took the reins in 2007. We will export power to other states and,if allowed,to Pakistan. I am going to Pakistan soon and will explore the possibility of power export,” he added.

The deputy chief minister said that the number of electricity consumers – presently 63.73 lakh – are expected to rise to 97.33 lakh and total connected load in next two years will double. “Punjab government has been able to bring down T&D losses from 22.53 per cent to 17.7 per cent and is focusing on further bringing it down to 14.75 per cent in the next two years.”