Andhra targets decarbonisation with energy-saving tech in MSME clusters

AP’s MSME efficiency project

• Goal: Reduce carbon footprint and strengthen a decarbonized economy in AP

• Target: MSMEs in four sectors - food processing, gold ornaments, imitation jewellery, and pharma

• Implementation: Pilot project focusing on North Andhra with energy audits in selected MSME units

Vijayawada: As part of the resolve to strengthen a decarbonised economy in the State, Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) with the support of Ministry of Power-led Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has taken up energy efficiency and decarbonisation project in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in four clusters of food processing, gold ornaments, imitation jewellery and pharmaceuticals.

Visakhapatnam being the industrial hub of the State, the focus is more on implementation of the project in North Andhra. Official sources said as part of the project, APSECM is conducting energy audits in selected MSMEs and organise dissemination workshops to the owners and technicians on the energy audit findings and make them aware of the feasible energy efficiency measures. APSECM is also contemplating demonstrating those measures and implementing energy efficiency technologies on a pilot basis.

This helps to showcase the energy savings in a scientific manner that in turn motivates MSMEs of other clusters as well towards energy efficiency that contributes to reduction in energy intensity, carbon emissions and ultimately protects the environment.

APSECM has conducted detailed energy audits in five units of each of the food processing cluster in Chittoor, gold ornaments cluster in Vijayawada, imitation jewellery cluster in Machilipatnam and pharma cluster in Visakhapatnam and also conducted dissemination workshops in food processing and pharma clusters so far.

Briefing during the dissemination workshop on energy efficiency audit recommendations in the imitation jewellery cluster at Machilipatnam, organized by APSECM on Tuesday involving more than 50 MSME entrepreneurs and technicians, the APSECM officials said that energy audits were conducted in the Yasasri Gold Covering Work Jewellery, Sri Raghu Gold Jewellery, Raveendra Gold, Sree Sudha Jewellery and Gold Prince Plasto Jewellery units in Machilipatnam with support of BEE empanelled auditing agency Siri Exergy & Carbon Advisory Services.

“The major energy efficiency measures identified through energy audits in imitation jewellery clusters include installation of energy efficient rectifiers for nickel coating and copper coating works, Energy Efficient Motor IE5 for dryers, energy saver for AC units and energy efficient BLDC fans.

The annual energy saving potential identified in five MSMEs is around 66,000 kWh worth Rs 4.39 lakh. In addition, installation of solar power in five units will result in savings of 58,000 kWh i.e., Rs 3.91 lakh. It is expected to reduce around 56 tonnes of CO2.” officials pointed out.

Officials also said APSECM will establish energy management centers in the MSME clusters with state of the art energy auditing/monitoring instruments and systems and demonstrate energy-efficient technologies with high replication potential and strengthen the cluster level entities like local service providers, technical workforce and shall frame energy conservation guidelines for MSMEs.

Deputy Executive Engineer from APSECM TVV Siva Rama Kumar, Secretary of Imitation Jewellery Park Jitendra, representatives of Siri Exergy and association members participated.