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Energy consumption `draining resources'

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD, July 13

INDIAN industries can become globally competitive if they are able to cut down their energy consumption, according to Dr E.A.S. Sarma, Principal of the Administrative Staff College of India.

Inaugurating a `National seminar on energy conservation for profitability' here on Thursday, Dr Sarma wondered whether India should continue to produce energy-intensive products such as aluminium and fertilisers. The two-day seminar has been organised by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA).

According to him, high energy consumption was causing a substantial drain of valuable foreign exchange reserves due to the import of crude and petroleum products. Dr Sarma advocated import of energy-intensive products rather than their manufacture.

He called for the formulation of long-term strategies for the conservation of energy instead of tackling the problem at the fringes. Energy reducing technologies and better efficiency of public transport systems would reduce energy consumption.

According to Dr Sarma, increased efficiency of the railways would go a long way in reducing energy use.

Delivering the presidential address, Mr P.V. Bhide, Managing Director of Godavari Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (GFCL), said it was unfortunate that few industries in the country today were conducting energy audit. GFCL had been able to cut down energy c onsumption by half by introducing conservation measures, he said.

Mr Deepak Mathur, PCRA Deputy General Manager, said the country had to import Rs 70,000 crore worth of crude and petroleum products during 2000-01 to meet its requirements. He said that it was essential to evolve global strategies for exploring alternati ves fuels.