January 31, 2002
'16'
NEED TO INTEGRATE RENEWABLE AND WASTE DERIVED ENERGY TO BENEFIT CEMENT INDUSTRY, SAYS RUDY
AWARDS PRESENTED FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE
Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, has emphasised the need to integrate the renewable and waste derived energy into the cement industry to achieve dual benefits of cost-reduction and environmental protection. Shri Rudy, in his valedictory address at the International Seminar on Energy and Environment in Cement Production and Sustainable Construction, asked the cement industry to explore alternate sources of energy to make it environmental-friendly and free of pollution. Shri Rudy gave away the awards for energy performance, environmental excellence and quality improvement at a function jointly organised by National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) and Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), here today.
Shri Rudy informed that the cement industry is one of the major energy consuming industries. "With the acute shortage of power and difficult availability of better quality fuels, reduction in demand of energy should be the prime aim of the cement industry", he stressed. Any real energy conservation move in the cement industry and construction activities has a multiplier effect in higher energy efficiency and energy economy, he added. The Minister underlined the fact that the government on its part is giving special emphasis to generation of grid quality power from non-conventional and renewable energy sources, like hydro-power, wind-power, solar energy etc. Shri Rudy lauded the role of NCB in assisting the cement and construction companies in their efforts for modernisation, product innovation and improved operational efficiency and said that such initiatives of giving awards would go a long way in improving the performance and image of the industry.
The National Awards for Energy Efficiency in Indian cement industry was instituted by NCB in 1986. Starting from the year 2000-2001, NCB has instituted two more national awards in the field of (1) Environmental Excellence and (2) Quality Excellence in cement industry. A total of 12 awards were presented in various categories for the year 2000-2001.