TTD aims top energy-efficient pilgrim-destination status

Vijayawada: Energy efficiency measures in water pumping stations of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) will save 4.5 MU per annum worth of Rs 3.17 crore with return on investment by around 12 months.

Official sources said in order to provide the benefits of energy efficiency and conservation to all its devotees, the world famous devotional centre, TTD has initiated several energy efficiency initiatives in its establishments and water pumping stations in particular with an aim to make TTD the best energy efficient pilgrim destination across the globe.

TTD is spending around Rs 40 crore per annum towards electricity bill and has planned to reduce the energy expenditure by Rs 4 to 5 crore in a phased manner by implementing energy conservation and efficiency measures including replacement of old high capacity pumps with energy efficient pump sets.

During a review meeting on energy efficiency project in water pumping stations of TTD with AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM), Energy Department and AP State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation Limited (APSEEDCO), a joint venture of AP power utilities and TTD officials, the Executive Officer of TTD A V Dharma Reddy said that they have contemplated replacing 118 existing pump sets with energy efficient pump sets in coordination with APSECM/APSEEDCO.

TTD strongly believes in pro-environmental activities for which full focus has been laid on star labelled appliances and adoption of energy efficient technologies. The TTD's initiatives to go with energy efficiency would promote eco-friendly solutions that will help our society and nature as well. "We wish to make TTD as the top pilgrim destination in the energy efficiency front not only in the country but also across the world," the EO said.

Dharma Reddy said "TTD is determined to provide best quality services to devotees with an objective to improve the existing facilities to devotees keeping the requirements of the future in mind and also provide the benefits of energy efficiency measures to all the devotees."

During the meeting, senior officers of APSEEDCO said they have conducted an investment grade energy audit (IGEA) in pumping stations of TTD and proposed to replace around 118 existing pump sets with energy efficient pump sets with an investment of around Rs 3.18 crore.