MoU signed for enhancing energy security in MSMEs

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship R K Singh jointly inaugurated the National Conclave on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in MSME sector here on September 23, 2019.

The two-day Conclave has been organised 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.

Gadkari, in his inaugural address, ongratulated Power Minister R K Singh for organising the Conclave and 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,”Gadkari said. He also said,  “Energy efficiency measures would reduce MSMEs’ power bills and make them competitive in 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, according to a PIB release.

Speaking on the occasion, R K Singh said, “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.”

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

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.

The two Ministers also released Energy Conservation Guidelines for MSMEs and launched the Knowledge Management Portal “SIDHIEE” under the BEE’s MSME Programme.