Surat Municipal Corporation has initiated a process of energy savings in water supply systems, and the use of environmentally friendly technology in sewerage, through their Energy Efficiency Cell.




The population of Surat city increased from 15 lakh in 1991 to 24 lakh in 2001. Also, in 2006, the geographical limit of Surat city was expanded from 112 sq. km. to 327 sq. km. This quickly translated into increased capacity water supply treatment plants to cater to the growing city. Since the water supply system is a major component in energy consumption, contributing more than 61% of the total energy bill of SMC (which increased from Rs. 13 Crore in 1996-97 to Rs. 43 Crore in 2003-04), it clearly required a special focus on energy savings. An 'Energy Efficiency Cell' was established in the year 2001 to address this issue.
Having examined all the different areas, it was found that scope for savings lies in the filtered water transmission area, and hence water routes were reengineered. To augment its efforts in energy conservation, the Surat Municipal Corporation installed a 0.5 MWe capacity power plant based on bio-gas generated from liquid sewage waste at Anjana sewage treatment plant, becoming the first Municipal Corporation in India to do so.
Based on internal and external energy audits, SMC began the work of re-engineering transmission routes. Other energy saving measures, such as replacement of existing pump sets with new ones and installation of additional pump sets, were also undertaken. The bio-gas plant has, till December 2008, generated 80.11 lakh KWH of energy, leading to a saving of Rs. 322 lakh. Further, innovations in street lighting, such as installing newer fluorescent lamps, are helping the SMC save about Rs. 135 lakh.
Having been inspired by the energy savings realised (recurring saving of more than Rs. 4.5 crore), further steps of energy auditing at 15 sites are underway. SMC is also sharing the information with the Gujarat Government and other government bodies for the benefit of other municipalities.

For further details, contact:

Ms. Aparna, IAS
Municipal Commissioner,
Surat Municipal Corporation, Muglisara
Surat - 395 003, Gujarat