Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

VSP leads the pack with a high-energy leap

Staff Reporter

The vision is to become a world-class energy-efficient unit

GOING GREEN: Chairman and Managing Director of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Y. Siva Sagar Rao (second from left) administering the pledge for use of renewable energy sources in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: A Renewable Energy Policy, developed in house, was formally launched at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by its Chairman and Managing Director Y. Siva Sagar Rao at a function organised at the Training and Development Centre on Monday.

The policy is aimed at fulfilling the vision of the plant to become a world-class energy efficient unit. The plant commenced its strategic energy management in 2000 to reduce the cost of steel and to improve the bottom line of the company. The move resulted in the plant continuously achieving the lowest specific energy consumption in the Indian integrated steel industry by undertaking various energy conservation initiatives.

Non-conventional sources

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Siva Sagar Rao said that the plant was always in the forefront in initiating the latest management systems. The Renewable Energy Policy was the first of its kind in any steel plant in the country. He called for greater utilisation of renewable energy sources to replace conventional energy and to realise the dream of the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to make India an energy independent country by 2030.

He elaborated the steps initiated by the plant to substitute 5 per cent of the total electrical energy and petro-fuel requirements from renewable energy sources. A proposal was on the cards to generate about 12 MW of electricity from non-conventional energy sources, even if it is cost prohibitive, to strengthen the cause of energy independence. The plan was to generate about 0.4 MW from solar energy sources, 0.9 MW from bio diesel plantation, 0.4 MW from the waste generated in the Steel Plant township and about 10 MW of electricity from wind turbines.

The plant has initiated the plantation of jatropha and pongamia varieties in an extent of 1140 acres by 2008. The steel plant aims to produce 2550 tons of bio-diesel by 2011-12. There are also plans to install solar-based lights in parks in the plant and the township.

Earlier, the Deputy General Manager (EMD) S.P. Bhargava welcomed the gathering.

The General Manager (Energy Environment) C.S. Gupta, the Directors P.K. Bishnoi, K.K. Rao and M.K. Das and the Chief Vigilance Officer P.K. Misra spoke.

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