The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and the Ahmedabad-based Vatva Industries’ Association (VIA), which has around 1,000 members, have joined hands for ensuring energy conservation in the SMEs.
Both the agencies have agreed to adopt 10 SMEs on turn-key basis for a year. Subsequently, the energy conservation model will be replicated in other associations.
GEDA would act as a facilitator in the project. RN Pandya, senior project executive, GEDA, said: “According to the understanding, Vatva Industries’ Association will create a new model. It will identify 10 units and will conduct energy saving experiments. GEDA will extend financial aid for the project. Details of the financial aid are being finalised. For more funds, we will seek assistance from the state government and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).”
SMEs account for 40 per cent of the industrial production and manufacture more than 8,000 value-added products.
According to a study by the Ahmedabad-based Green Environment Cooperative Society Ltd. (GECS): “Electricity consumption in SMEs is high and the units are not able to absorb new technologies thanks to economic difficulties.”
“The project is the first of its kind in not only in Gujarat but across the country,” Pandya added.
GECS is conducting Common Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) in the Vatva Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) area. GECS is working for saving energy in SMEs, in association with industries, institutes, technology vendors and government agencies.
Kirit Patel, president, VIA, said: “The Dyestuff and chemical industries consume a lot of electricity. To save energy, we will make necessary modifications and monitor progress for a year. Once the project succeeds, it will be replicated.” There are more than 650 dyes and intermediates units in Vatva GIDC. The units are power guzzlers.
High-horsepower motors will be replaced with smaller ones. Instead of using spray dryer, running on electricity, to dry dyes design modifications could be undertaken to save power.
