Raj Bhavan cuts power bill by Rs 14L, sets example for housing societies





British-era buildings, with their high ceilings and massive rooms are known to consume huge quantities of power. The 150year-old Raj Bhavan on Malabar Hill was no exception. But in an example for far humbler abodes in the city, it has adopted a series of green measures, reducing its power bill by Rs 14 lakh during the 2013-14 financial year.

The feat has won the 48acre compound an award by the recently concluded national green energy campaign instituted by the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA).

The compound, which, besides the governor's official residence, comprises guest houses and over 200 staff quarters, saved 1.35 lakh units of power in the last fiscal over the previous one by using only energy-efficient appliances and devices, and solar-energy panels. Raj Bhavan invested over Rs 78 lakh on the green project, and is expected to recover the cost in six years.

Power experts say the pro ject can be replicated by housing societies and townships to reduce power consumption.

"The project was started in 2012-13, resulting in a sav ing of Rs 8 lakh on Raj Bhavan's power bill. We hope to take the current financial year's saving to Rs 16 lakh," said Vasant Salunkhe, comp troller of the governor's households. "The measures included the use of only LED lighting, even for street lights, five-star (power-saving) ver sions of appliances like water heaters, ceiling fans and ACs, use of energy-efficient elevators and generation of solar power."