February 23, 2015: The state of Maharashtra is soon expected to have a policy on energy conservation which will promote the use of power saving LED lighting and building up of renewable energy sources. According to reports, energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has commented on this saying, “In a bid to overcome power shortage in the state my ministry is taking initiatives on various levels. On the one hand we are planning to have a greater thrust on the non-conventional and renewable energy sources and on the other hand we are trying to cut down on the power consumption.”
Bawankule further said that since both LED lighting and the use of solar power can reduce energy costs to a great extent, all government offices might also get them in the near future. He said that the state government being one of the major consumers of power in Maharashtra, they should set an example by implementing energy efficient systems so that people would follow them. The government has already invited proposals from the experts in the field of renewable energy to develop the state’s energy conservation policy.
The government might also implement measures like making installation of solar water heating systems mandatory for residential buildings.