February 09, 2008	Saturday	Safar 01, 1429

RAWALPINDI, Feb 8: The federal government has decided to introduce standards for the manufacturing of gas geysers in order to enhance their efficiency and save energy.

The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has drafted the required standards for the production of gas geysers. The draft is being sent to all chambers of commerce and industry in the country and manufacturers for their views before finalisation.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting called by the Engineering Development Board (EDB) on Thursday. It was chaired by EDB General Manager Zahid J. Yaqub and attended by leading manufacturers of geysers, representatives of government agencies and senior officials of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL).

The meeting was informed that the energy efficiency of local geysers was much lower than the world standards. Therefore, research and development (R&D) was necessary to achieve global standard.

A local manufacturer volunteered to initiate R&D for various components of the geysers such as burners and thermostats.

The increased efficiency will result in lower energy consumption, besides strengthening the government’s endeavours to conserve energy, a statement issued by the EDB said.

The industry emphasised the need for duty free import of various components of instant water heaters in order to introduce quality products in the market. Some manufacturers showed their willingness to produce high quality products, if investment on R&D was made by the government.

The meeting also reviewed various proposals for increasing awareness of the consumers by adopting simple methods such as replacement of three-year-old geysers, insulation of overhead water tanks and pipes, and installation of geysers in covered areas. It was felt that these measures if adopted could lead to considerable energy conservation.

Enercon Managing Director Fareedullah Khan informed the meeting that the government was ready to accept any practical proposal from private-sector for energy conservation.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, the EDB general manager emphasised the need for energy conservation to overcome the energy crisis in the country. He added that the government was undertaking initiative to minimise the magnitude of the crisis.

One of the strategies adopted is to enhance the efficiencies of the different energy consuming household products currently being produced in the country in collaboration with the relevant private-sector industry. He added that the crisis should be converted into an opportunity to introduce high-quality products in the market.