Citizen consumer and Civic Action Group, in partnership with Technology Informatics Design Endeavour (TIDE), launched a community-based energy conservation initiative in Chennai called Minsarathai Semippom (MS). The initiative is promoted and supported by SGGSC (Societe Generale Global Solution Centre) and is an extension of the very successful Vidyut Rakshaka program conceptualised by World Resources Institute (WRI) and TIDE.
The MS program aims to conduct simple energy consumption assessments in households, in order to recommend measures to reduce electricity consumption and monthly electricity bills. Through the course of the programme, select households in Chennai are surveyed and their electricity consumption patterns are tracked and studied. Based on the study, specific and targeted recommendations are made to promote energy conservation through housekeeping and behavioural changes.
The electricity sector in India has been facing several issues over the past few decades. The prominent ones include the ever-increasing demand for electricity and the adverse effects that the conventional sources of energy have on the environment. Even though certain states can be seen investing in renewable energy, the numbers are few and scattered. In short, with respect to electricity in India, (i) the gap between demand for electricity and supply of electricity is widening; (ii) the usage of conventional sources of electricity like thermal plants are dominant and affect the environment adversely; (iii) the shift to renewable sources of energy has been gradual and inadequate to meet the demands. Given the context, it is conclusive that conserving electricity is of paramount importance.
Conservation of electricity can yield several benefits at the national, regional, and household levels. Apart from nominally reducing the demand-supply gap, efforts to conserve electricity would imply a reduction of expense on electricity at a household level and lower levels of fossil fuels burnt at regional and national levels. This translates to economic benefits in the households, increased energy efficiency in the country and a healthier environment for all.
AIM
The principal objective of this program is to create awareness on electricity usage, reducing power consumption through behavioural changes and promoting the use of renewable energy.