BRICS’ meeting on energy efficiency begins today

NEW DELHI, Jul 3: BRICS nations will chalk out a plan for enhancing cooperation in energy efficiency when they meet at Visakhapatnam for a two-day deliberation starting tomorrow.

India, a member of BRICS, will also showcase its efforts in energy saving, energy efficiency, particularly the LED street lighting programme and PAT (Performance Achievement & Trade) programme for industrial energy efficiency.

“The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on ‘Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency’ will be held at Visakhapatnam during July 4-5, 2016. Participation from all BRICS countries, viz., Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa has been confirmed,” a statement from power ministry said.

According to the statement, during the deliberations, the BRICS countries will make presentations on measures taken by them in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency.

The Working Group on Energy Saving & Energy Efficiency will deliberate on a plan on development of cooperation in energy saving and energy efficiency within BRICS, it said.

India has assumed the BRICS chair for 2016 and will accordingly shape and steer the BRICS agenda.

Consequently, the power ministry will host the meeting of the Working Group and will also showcase energy saving initiatives in the country.

On November 20, 2015, BRICS energy ministers signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding in energy saving and energy efficiency in Moscow.

They agreed to pursue their energy cooperation through joint research and technology projects; technology transfer; conferences, lectures and seminars; and exchange of experience and best practices. (PTI)