'Use of renewable energy vital for sustainable development'

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 14

The Pushpa Gujral Science City jointly with Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) celebrated National Energy Conservation Day. The theme of the day was “Save Energy, Save Future”. More than 250 students and teachers participated from all over Punjab.

Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, presided over as the chief guest on the occasion. In his address, he said the renewable energy sources play a vital role in securing sustainable development ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for citizens. The primary objective for deploying renewable energy in India is to advance economic development, improve energy security, improve access to energy, and mitigate climate change. Further, strong government support and the increasingly opportune economic situation have pushed India to be one of the top leaders in the world’s most attractive renewable energy markets, he added.

Dr Neelima Jerath, Director General, Science City, giving introductory remarks at the occasion, said the National Energy Conservation Day was celebrated to bring awareness among the masses about the importance of energy, using it efficiently as well as conserving it by using less energy. Energy conservation should be rooted in the behaviour of every human being to get more effect towards the plan of energy conservation. Further, PGSC is leading by example by adopting several energy conservation measures, she added.

Sharad Sharma, Project Engineer, Punjab Energy Development Agency, Chandigarh, shared the steps taken by PEDA in the field of energy conservation. He informed that replacement of existing inefficient electrical appliances with energy efficient electrical appliances in Government Primary and Middle Schools (Urban) has resulted in annual energy saving of 1,99,114 kwh equivalent to abatement of 159 tonnes of CO2 emissions under demonstration project.

Dr Rajesh Grover, director, Science City, said the day highlights the importance of energy in our day-to-day life, its scarcity and efforts required for its conservation and its impact on sustainability of global eco systems.

Science play competition and model competitions were also organised on the occasion. In science play competition, Tara Convent Schoo, Malerkotla, won the first prize, Parbhat Public School Amritsar got second prize and Guru Harkishan Public School Kapurthala received third prize. In project model competition, Dass and Brown World School Ferozepur bagged the first prize, Pioneer Convent School Malerkotla won the second prize and third prize was secured by Rayat Bhara School, Hoshiarpur.