Energy Efficiency, Conservation Bill smoothly sails through NA

The National Assembly on Friday passed the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill-2015 unanimously by incorporating amendments proposed by the opposition.

It is aimed at stipulating mechanism and procedures for effective conservation and efficient use of energy in the country.

State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali moved the bill to provide for the establishment of institutions and enunciation of mechanisms and procedures for effective conservation and efficient use of energy in the House.

Abid Sher Ali said the amendments proposed by the Opposition had been made part of the bill. The legislation would help save billion of rupees, he added.

He said the bill was also discussed and approved at the forum of Council of Common Interests (CCI).

The Opposition members Dr Nafisa Shah, Shazia Marri, Naveed Qamar and others proposed certain amendments in Clauses 3, 4 and 6 of the bill.

The statement of objects and reasons of the bill say that the conversion and efficient use of energy is pivotal for development of the country.

It has a great potential to alleviate the adverse effects of shortage of energy supply.

For this purpose, it is imperative to establish institutions and stipulate mechanism and procedure for effective conversation and efficient use of energy in the country.

The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority will act as focal federal agency for initiating, catalysing and coordinating the implementation of energy conservation activities in all sectors of the economy under the auspices of the Pakistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Board headed by the federal minister for Water and Power.