DESPERATE to conserve energy, the West Bengal government is planning to follow Kerala in making energy audits compulsory for industries. According to government estimates, by 1996-97, power supply during peak hours will fall short by 20 per cent and total energy by 10 per cent.
A high-level technical committee, constituted by state power minister Sankar Sen, has recommended mandatory audits for units whose maximum annual power demand exceeds 500 kw or 1,000 kilo litres of fuel oil. The audits, covering fuels like coal and gas as well as electricity, will be 2-tiered: a preliminary energy audit every year followed by a detailed audit in the third year. Units that fall short of measuring up to the audit standards or failing to submit reports in time will be slapped with a levy
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