Karnataka: Henceforth, power connection only for energy-efficient pumpsets

Bengaluru: In a move expected to save the state around 35 to 39 percent of energy, the government has by its order of May 19 made installation of energy efficient pumpsets compulsory for new domestic, agricultural and industrial power connections.

Disclosing this to reporters here on Friday, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said the decision was taken after it was experimented with in several villages and visits to other states where it had proved successful in conserving energy.

“All escoms have been directed not to give power connections unless all categories of consumers produce documents to show they have installed energy saving pumps. The new rule has been made compulsory even for government departments which use pumpsets to draw water and for the Ganga Kalyana scheme,” he added, revealing that all urban and rural local bodies pumping drinking water to consumers would have to upgrade their pumpsets in a phased manner to make them energy efficient.

Although the new pumpsets would cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 more, consumers would recover the money in a year or two through their reduced power bills, the minister said. “The department is considering giving financial aid to farmers to switch to the new pumpsets,” the minister said.