Energy Saving News
Governments Struggle with Energy Saving Plans
Governments should be in the best position to drive through with energy saving and carbon reductions, but their best laid plans do not always work (no surprise there).
China and Venezuela have both seen reversals, though the latter was a little ambitious.
News just released reveals that China's total energy consumption surged 6.3 percent last year to 3.1 billion tons of standard coal equivalent, up from 4 percent growth in 2008.
The trend is disturbing as the Chinese economy expanded at a rate of 8.7 percent, the slowest growth in five years.
The Chinese government says it has devoted a significant share of a 4 trillion Yuan ($586 billion) stimulus package, announced in late 2009, to reducing pollution and improving energy efficiency.
Obviously it hasn’t had the desired effect - but why?
The blame, in part at least, is being laid at the door of local government, the local authorities have not been toeing the line.
Highlighting China's concerns over energy use, in January the government set up a so-called "super ministry," the National Energy Commission, headed by Premier Wen Jiabao. It will coordinate energy policies overseen by a slew of agencies including the NDRC.
Zhang Guobao, Deputy Director of the National Energy Commission, said:
"It appears that some local governments approved energy-guzzling projects during economic crisis. So only by fully implementing our energy saving regulations can we realize economic growth with less energy consumption.”
Meanwhile in Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez imposed tough regulations in mid February to force the heaviest energy users to save energy - but over a very short period of time, and as predicted it didn’t work.
On February 26, power utility Electricidad de Caracas measured the amount of electricity consumed by businesses, retailers, and offices.
The results were published last weekend, showing that only 37 percent of heavy consumers saved energy, while 63 percent did not lower demand.
The two-stage plan to cut energy consumption in Caracas by 20 percent entered into effect on February 11. To achieve the goal, companies are expected to reduce power consumption by 10 percent on a weekly basis.
The first phase of the plan was completed last Friday, and according to data from the National Electric Corporation, the heavy users who cooperated with the plan averaged a 30.5 percent reduction in electricity consumption.
However, most heavy consumers did not meet the goal established by the government. This means that they must lower consumption by 20 percent, and if they fail to meet the goal, their power service will be cut for 24 hours.
If the trend continues, and the companies fail to reach the goal, their power service will be cut for up to 48 hours.
Tough measures for tough times, but well thought out energy saving policies need to be implemented with the right advice and technologies that allow the public and private organisations to be able to reduce their power use in an appropriate way without reducing production or services.
Tuesday 2nd March 2010
