Energy Conservation & Efficiency: time to reorganise and restucture ENERCON and introduce regulatory process.

Poor man consumes more energy per unit of pleasure and utility than a rich man , as is the case of poor vs rich nations.Most affording consumers have shifted to energy saver.It is the very poor,who has not and could not due to the price.Similarly it has been estimated that poor and developing nations consume 30% more energy per unit of output(GDP@PPP) than the developed countries.As China progressed over the last decade,it has managed to reduce its energy consumption per unit of output by half and continues to improve on it.India has been doing the same.Energy Efficiency and conservation has come to be known as synonymous with development.

It is no more a fashionable subject.It is down right economics.Energy is getting expensive and scarce as well.It has been established beyond doubt that conservation is more efficient than generation.Where are we on this important front? unfortunately nowhere.ENERCON was established in 1980s under US technical and financial assistance and does not have much to brag in terms of impact,although efforts have not been lacking.To be fair to ENERCON,perhaps financial and economic incentive and pressure has emerged over the last decade ,and hence the private and public lack of interest even if not apathy towards the subject.

It is time to reorganize and revitalize ENERCON proportional to the task and challenge that the organisation has to meet.It is also time to give it some teeth by the way of Energy Conservation ACT of the parliament,which most countries have done including India which introduced a policy and the law in this respect as early as 2001.Force of Law is required to enforce some energy standards and practices and punish the violator. A policy regime similar to the environment has to be brought about.More success potential is expected to be in Energy Conservation and Efficiency because it generally saves money while environmental protection costs money,even though there is a public and societal profit in the latter as well.Many countries and multi-lateral agencies would be willing to technically and financially support reasonably serious initiatives and projects.There is CDM and a host of green credit scheme.Neither is there any dearth of knowledge,technology and advice. Following actions are recommended:

1) Reorganize ENERCON as a highly visible organisation with presence in all the provinces and major cities.ENERCON must be required to prepare a strategic business plan with defined yearly quantified(not stories)targets and achievements.They would require resources and support.For money USAID appears to be too willing to provide capital and technology.

2)Introduce an Energy Conservation and Efficiency law as discussed earlier.Remove duplication with Pakistan Standard Institute and the associated legislation.Energy labeling and standards to be taken away from the PSI and shifted to ENERCON.(Some initial steps have been taken in this direction already)

3)Introduce initially voluntary and eventually legally binding and enforceable programme of Energy Standards and Labeling.Following items be included in the programme:

a)Electric motors

b)fans

c)Washing Machines

d)Refrigerators

e)Packaged Air-conditioners

f)Water pumps of all sizes including agricultural

For those who may not be informed about the Energy Labels,they are referred to my book,"Pakistan's Energy Development".I donot make any money out of the book.Briefly , a five-Star rating/label system is there which certifies products.One Star would mean least efficient and 5-Star to be most efficient.The labels are to be affixed on the product under ENERCON authority.

ENERCON's most earlier projects may have become outdated and are to be scrapped or updated.Famous is their fuel efficiency programme.Most cars with electronics ignition do not require tuning now.Carburettors are no more there.Only spark plugs have to be cleaned and replaced.More innovative sectoral programmes should be initiated such as:

1)Agricultural sectors water-pump improvement.

2)fuel intensive sectors such as Cement,Tiles and Brick Kilns.

3)Energy Efficiency in Commercial High-Rise Buildings with a regulatory process similar to Building Control Authority.(Building Energy Code has been developed already:It was developed in 1980s as well;enforcement structure is required)

4)Co-generation in Textile and Sugar.

5)HVAC

6)Energy Efficiency in Government Buildings.

Lastly we should understand that Energy saved is Energy produced even better.