The Gujarat government has initiated a statewide energy conservation campaign encompassing various government offices and public buildings. As part of this effort, air conditioners are now required to be set at a default temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. Departments are mandated to formulate energy efficiency action plans within 45 days to enhance energy conservation without disrupting official operations.
The campaign, a collaborative effort between the Energy and Petrochemicals Department and Roads and Buildings Department, aims to curtail unnecessary electricity consumption while bolstering energy efficiency, financial prudence, and environmental sustainability. Offices demonstrating exceptional electricity conservation practices will be acknowledged under this initiative, as per the government’s announcement.
To adhere to the guidelines, all electrical equipment such as lights, fans, air conditioners, and computers must be turned off outside office hours, on weekends, and during public holidays. Additionally, heads of offices are tasked with ensuring that electrical devices in the cabins of absent officers are also switched off through regular monitoring.
Each major department will appoint a nodal officer to supervise the implementation of these measures. Moreover, in alignment with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) directive, the default temperature setting for air conditioners in government offices has been standardized at 24 degrees Celsius. To minimize electricity wastage from manual operation, occupancy sensors and timer-based automation control systems will be installed in various office areas.
