Accord reached for cooperation in energy conservation

EDB, NPO sign memorandum of cooperation.

ISLAMABAD: The Engineering Development Board (EDB) and the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) have agreed to cooperate in the development and promotion of engineering industry of Pakistan, particularly in the area of energy conservation in steel industries.

EDB CEO Aitazaz A Niazi and NPO chief Yousaf M Khawaja signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on Monday. The memorandum will remain in force for an initial period of five years and may be renewed by a further agreement. According to details, both organisations will cooperate in the development of pilot projects in the steel re-rolling sector according to recommendations and preliminary survey conducted by the EDB with the assistance of foreign experts.

These will be implemented by energy audit teams of the NPO which will assess the quantum of energy saved for feedback. A joint survey of the entire re-rolling sector will be conducted for replicating the results of the pilot projects.

The NPO and EDB in consultation with an engineering university will develop a ‘thermal model’ to assess the impact of various furnace parameters on energy consumption and furnace efficiency.

It was also agreed to constitute a steering committee for the re-rolling sector for improving energy efficiency. It would consist of representatives from re-rolling sector, refractory, instrumentation, energy suppliers and subject specialists.

Conferences, round table discussions, meetings, seminars, presentations and surveys will also be held and reports will be prepared. These will identify focal points to facilitate coordination and implementation of their activities for increasing cooperation including appropriate follow-up review and assessment.

For this purpose, a joint work plan with detailed roles, responsibilities, activities and milestones will be prepared.

Published in  The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2010.