TTD gears up to develop energy efficient ecosystem

Vijayawada: As part of its endeavour to achieve the nation's climate change targets of reducing the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030 and bringing down emissions to zero by 2070 and mitigate the ill effects of the climate change, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) that runs the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala has initiated several energy efficiency programmes in its buildings and water pumping stations.

The TTD is taking proactive measures in its true spirit towards protecting the environment and effectively implementing energy efficiency activities that contribute to 50 per cent in addressing climate change. The energy efficiency measures that TTD have taken up will not only protect the environment but also result in energy savings and reduction of electricity bills to TTD as well. During a review meeting through teleconference on energy efficiency measures in TTD participated by the devasthanam and Energy Department officials, Executive Officer of TTD AV Dharma Reddy said on Sunday that TTD is exceptionally energy-conscious and believes in environmentally friendly measures and therefore TTD is fully focusing on energy efficiency projects and promotion of renewable energy sources.

"The TTD's energy efficient appliances project will push others towards green solutions that would benefit the society and environment as well. The State government is very keen on providing high quality services to devotees. The ultimate objective of the State government and TTD is to improve the existing facilities to devotees keeping the requirements of the future in mind and make the TTD the best energy efficient tourist destination in the world on the energy efficiency front," said TTD EO. During the meeting, TTD Chief Engineer Nageswara Rao explained the Executive Officer that TTD in coordination with AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM), State Designated Agency under the Energy Department has implemented pilot energy efficiency demonstration projects in TTD in the areas of LED lighting appliances, Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans to the extent of the financial support provided by Union Ministry of Power-led Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). In the first phase, APSECM has implemented energy efficiency measures in Sri Venkateswara Arts College and replaced 1000 existing tube lights with LED tube lights and 400 fans with energy efficient Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans. The project is expected to result in energy savings of 1.64 lakh units per annum. In the second phase, the TTD has entered into agreement with AP State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation Limited (APSEEDCO), a joint venture of AP Power Utilities, for replacement of the existing 5,000 ceiling fans of TTD Buildings with BLDC fans which are highly energy efficient and could save around 0.88 million units per annum with Rs 62 lakh monetary savings and payback of just 2 years 2 months for the investments, APSECM CEO A Chandra Sekhar Reddy told Bizz Buzz.

The energy efficient appliances were supplied to TTD and the installation agency is to be finalised soon.