LAHORE: The Energy Efficiency Management Project (EEMP) has enabled 13 industrial units selected from Sindh and Punjab’s automotive and foundry sector to save 866,00 KWh energy per annum valuing about Rs10 million.

This was disclosed at a seminar organised by Smeda to share results of the two-year interventions under EEMP – initiated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – at a local hotel on Thursday.

Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, Mr Yasuhiro Tojo informed about various initiatives taken by the agency towards SME development in Pakistan.

On the request of Smeda, JICA dispatched four energy experts in March 2015 for technical assistance to reduce energy inefficiency in the auto parts and foundry sectors of Pakistan, he said.

The prime objective of the project was to introducing Japanese Energy Conservation Tools and Methodologies and Management Practices and increase energy savings, he said.

So far annual energy savings of over 866,000 KWh have been realised out of the total identified potential of 1,3527,27 KWh, he added.

Smeda Industry Support Cell’s Deputy General Manager, Ashfaq Ahmed said since March 2015, best energy management practices under the EEMP were introduced in the selected 13 industrial units in Punjab and Sindh.

During a period of 21 months, detailed energy audits were conducted in the units. Various areas of energy wastages including compressors, casting, injection molding, press/forging, generators, lighting, etc, were identified. The improvement plan suggested by JICA experts team was then implemented, he added.

The Smeda official said solutions have also been provided for effective management of power factor, cables’ selection, inverter applications and controlling harmonics to these industrial units.

Team Leader of JICA Energy Experts, Mr Morihito Takayama, gave a detailed presentation on the project activities focusing on electrical technology and subsequent improvement approaches to overcome the on-floor wastages of energy.

Another Japanese energy expert Mr Hirayama highlighted the key findings about Thermal Technology and Lighting Systems.

Meanwhile, Secretary Department of Industries and Commerce Sindh, Abdul Rahim Somroo appreciated Smeda for including Sindh’s SMEs in the EEMP. He offered full support of his department to Smeda in SME development initiatives.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016