ISLAMABAD, May 3: The Senate was informed on Tuesday that an energy conservation potential of up to 25 per cent had been identified in various sectors of economy and a bill aimed at preventing continued inefficient and wasteful use of energy is likely to be passed by the parliament by the end of next month.

Environment Minister Samina Khalid Ghurki informed the house during the question hour that the proposed Pakistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill provides for establishment of institutions and enunciation of mechanisms and procedures to provide for an effective conservation and efficient use of energy.

She said the National Energy Conservation Policy (NECP), prepared by Enercon through an extensive consultative process involving all stakeholders, was a contribution to the national effort to steer the country out of difficult energy supply situation by promoting efficient use of energy resources. The policy enumerates broad guidelines to enhance end-use efficiency in various energy consuming sectors of economy.

The minister said that the policy is likely to create an enabling environment to support energy security plans of the government and for effecting a change in course from the present wasteful practices to sustainable energy and environment patterns in the future.

She said that energy conservation and energy efficiency was an important element of energy policy, which reduces the energy consumption and energy demand per capita, and thus offsets the growth in energy supply and needs to keep up with population growth. Further, by reducing emission, energy conservation is an important part of lessening climate change.

She said the Enercon, through the implementation of its wide-ranging activities had made significant contributions to the development of the energy conservation technology and had achieved a significant energy saving potential in various sectors of country’s economy.

“The impact has been direct and indirect, quantitative and qualitative.

She said Enercon’s programme provide a comprehensive and unified approach to energy conservation.