BEE, MSME Ink MoU to Enhance Energy Security

The signed agreement includes areas of cooperation for comprehensive energy mapping of MSMEs on pan India, development of appropriate schemes and programs to improve the energy security of MSMEs.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), an agency of Ministry of Power, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for enhancing energy security in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

The agreement was signed during an inaugural session of the 2-day National Conclave on enhancing energy efficiency in the MSME sector. BEE is organizing this conclave cum exhibition in New Delhi on 23-24th September 2019.

Further, this MoU was inked between the Director-General, MSME, and BEE for developing a long term roadmap for enhancing energy efficiency and security for the MSME sector via focused intervention.

The signed agreement includes areas of cooperation for comprehensive energy mapping of MSMEs on pan India, development of appropriate schemes and programs to improve the energy security of MSMEs.

Besides, the other key highlights include the release of – energy conservation guidelines for MSMEs; and the launch of a knowledge management portal called – SIDHIEE under the BEE’s MSME Programme.

During the event, the Power Minister R.K. Singh and Nitin Gadkari, Minister of MSME, Road Transport and Highways were present along with some senior government officials, members from Industry Associations, MSME entrepreneurs, technology and service providers, sectoral energy experts, who are contributing significantly for the development of MSME sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Power Minister R K Singh said “industrial energy demand in India has almost doubled in the last 5 years and it is expected the growth may continue and the demand for energy likely to go up by over three times between 2012 and 2040 respectively. Government has set-up long term agenda via National Energy Policy. Therefore, Adopting energy efficiency initiatives pursuing best practices, and implementing energy conservation guidelines would be key levers in reducing the energy demand and strengthening energy security.”

On the other hand, Nitin Gadkari in his inaugural address emphasized that “energy is the driving force for all the economic activities including MSME sector. Making efforts towards energy conservation and taking appropriate measures to mitigate carbon emissions is our key priority.”

He said that government is committed to the development of MSMEs with an objective to transform the sector through green and sustainable initiatives towards high growth.

Moreover, a senior officer from the Ministry of Power said that this conclave will be useful in creating a platform for pooling the knowledge and synergising the efforts of various stakeholders. The delegates would deliberate strategies to promote energy efficiency while discussing the key issues like technical and financial capabilities of MSMEs, capacity building and awareness programme.