Delhi houses are 'energy guzzler', says CSE

A research and advocacy body today said that lack of energy efficiency measures has made Delhi an "energy guzzler", as it slammed the Delhi government for "only being concerned" with increasing power supply and subsidising consumption.
An analysis done by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on World Environment Day today on energy use in Delhi said that lack of energy efficiency measures is making Delhi an energy guzzler and the Delhi government should introduce mandatory energy audit and consumption based energy billing.
"While the AAP government in Delhi is only concerned with increasing electricity supply and subsidising consumption, it has not paid attention to the urgent need to also reduce consumption with controls and energy pricing. This is imposing enormous environmental and economic costs.

"While it is important to improve energy access for all especially for the poor, steps are also needed to promote prudent and sustainable consumption of electricity," said Anumita Roychowdhury, head of CSE's Sustainable Urbanisation programme.
CSE said that Delhi does not walk the talk when it comes to following the UN message on this World Environment Day -- 'Consume with Care'. Cheap electricity, rising incomes and badly designed buildings that trap heat have led to the adaption of energy-intensive active cooling practices in the capital, it said.
The research and advocacy body said that the AAP government gives power subsidy of 50 per cent for monthly consumption up to 400 KWh.

"Delhi's average consumption is only about 181 Kwh, and nearly two-fifths of the households consume less than 100 KWh per month. The subsidy, thus, allows comfortable use of a number of appliances like air-conditioners etc and cushions substantial household energy costs.
"The government must mandate energy audits, compulsory disclosure of annual energy consumption and more effective consumption-based billing," it said.
Referring to a newly-released report of the Central Electricity Authority on Load Generation Balance Report 2015-16, CSE said that Delhi is consuming more electricity than the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Kerala, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim and all states of North-east.