he rapid expansion of urban areas in Punjab poses significant challenges in effectively managing energy resources and sustaining crucial infrastructure. Municipal Committees (MCs) in this region have faced persistent struggles concerning energy usage, infrastructure maintenance, and service provision.

To address these challenges, the Punjab Cities Program (PCP) initiated an exercise to conduct a comprehensive energy audit of all 16 PCP Partner MCs namely: Jhelum, Hafizabad, Daska, Wazirabad, Kamonki, Muridke, Okara, Jhang, Kamalia, Jaranwala, Gojra, Kot Addu, Khanewal, Vehari, Burewala, and Bhawalnagar.

The Punjab Cities Programme (PCP) stands as a significant initiative funded by the World Bank, combining the Programme for Results (PforR) and Investment Project Financing (IPF) operations. This programme being implemented by the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) a technical arm of LG & CD Department Govvernment of Punjab, has a total budget of around USD 236 Million.

A critical facet of this programme entails enhancing the operation and maintenance of municipal services while concurrently executing energy audits within these 16 MCs.

Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), a body governed by a Board of Directors (BOD) comprising civil society and various government departments, conducted energy audits for 16 municipal committees and formulated energy management plans in 2019. This paved the way for the development of a comprehensive inventory of MC assets, detailed Geographic Information System (GIS) based maps, and Energy Audit Reports for all 16 MCs.

PMDFC recently again completed the energy audits of 16 MCs of Punjab. In addition to the energy audits, the initiative involved the development of detailed bylaws, frameworks, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals for various critical MC services, including, water supply and sewerage systems, wastewater treatment plants, stormwater drainage, solid waste management, urban roads, streetlights, and public parks.

The findings of the energy audits formed the basis for the development of comprehensive energy management plans, which included investment plans. These plans were devised to optimise energy consumption, improve infrastructure maintenance, and enhance service delivery to the citizens.

The steps taken based on the recommendations led to a remarkable 12 percent reduction in the specific energy consumption of the water supply network. This translated into an estimated annual energy savings of over 1.5 million kWh, equivalent to 60 million PKR. The impact on water supply services is substantial, both in terms of energy efficiency and cost savings.

Street lighting is a crucial aspect of urban infrastructure. The project achieved a remarkable 36 percent reduction in energy consumption for streetlights, along with a 36 percent improvement in energy consumption per fixture. The annual energy consumption of lighting equipment was significantly reduced by 211 kWh per fixture. These improvements saved energy and contributed to a more sustainable and well-lit urban environment.

Significant investments in the capacity building of the 16 MCs supervisory, management and field staff were also made. Over 320 resources from the MCs were trained through classroom and on-field training sessions. These training sessions covered various aspects of energy auditing, including the use of energy audit equipment, SOPs for energy audits of pump sets, record-keeping practices, best practices for the operation and maintenance of pump sets, and safety aspects of pumping units.

The efforts in Jaranwala yielded impressive results, with 100 percent recommended water supply measures and an annual energy savings of 191,181 kWh/year, equivalent to 7.65 million PKR/year. This demonstrates a significant improvement in key performance indicators (KPIs) for water supply, a 21 percent reduction in overall energy consumption, resulting in more reliable and efficient water supply system.

The achievements in Okara were noteworthy, with 80 percent adoption of recommended water supply measures. Annual energy savings reached 181,276 kWh/year, equivalent to 7.25 million PKR/year. There was also a remarkable 49 percent improvement in the KPI for water supply and a 10 percent reduction in overall energy consumption.

The transformation in Burewala was evident with 100 percent recommended water supply measures leading to annual energy savings of 31,816 kWh/year, equivalent to 1.27 million PKR/year. Notable improvements included a 26 percent enhancement in the KPI for water supply and a 2 percent reduction in the overall energy consumption.

The initiative has significantly improved energy efficiency in water supply and streetlight systems. This has resulted in reduced energy consumption, leading to substantial cost savings for the MCs. The implementation of energy management plans and operation and maintenance improvements has enhanced the overall quality of services provided by the MCs.

Residents benefit from better water supply, well-maintained streets, and efficient lighting. The capacity-building efforts have empowered the MCs to take charge of their infrastructure assets and energy management. They are now better equipped to conduct energy audits, implement energy-saving measures, and maintain their critical infrastructure more efficiently.

The estimated annual energy savings, which run into millions of PKR, have a positive economic impact on the MCs, enabling them to allocate resources to other important projects and services.

The reduction in energy consumption also contributes to a positive environmental impact by lowering carbon emissions and reducing the carbon footprint of these urban areas. The reduction in energy consumption translates into significant cost savings for the MCs, allowing them to allocate their budgets to other pressing needs and development projects.

With detailed energy audits and energy management plans, the MCs can maintain and upgrade their infrastructure, ensuring its longevity and efficiency.

The energy savings achieved by MCs are not always reflected in the MC’s electrical bills, as Distribution Companies (DISCOs) often overbill the MCs to cover their losses. It is recommended that MCs should install Smart Meters or Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) on their major electricity-consuming assets to monitor and manage their energy consumption more accurately.

MCs should transition to digital record-keeping systems. This would enable efficient data management, real-time monitoring, and data analysis. Periodical reviews and audits of energy consumption should also be undertaken to ensure that the energy-saving measures continue to yield results and to identify any further areas for improvement. The capacity-building efforts should be ongoing to ensure that MCs are equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques in energy management and operation and maintenance.

Insights gained from this effort could enhance municipal committees throughout Punjab, offering substantial benefits to an energy-strapped country. Increased efficiency would mean more energy available for both domestic and industrial needs. Moreover, reduced energy consumption would alleviate the strain on foreign reserves, minimizing the necessity for costly fuel imports.

The writer is a media and communications professional. He has been working in the development sector. He tweets @Idrees_Haider