On World Environment Day, June 05, 2019, the Indian Navy said in a statement that it is now pressing ahead with its eco-friendly programme, the Indian Navy Environment Conservation Roadmap (INECR), comprising specific action plans covering a range of operations, maintenance, administration, infrastructure and community living.

“The roadmap envisions ‘reduction in energy consumption’ and ‘diversification of energy supply’ as the key result areas,” The Hindu quoted the Navy as saying. It added that under the INECR, the Navy has formulated and disseminated a number of policies aimed at reduction of energy consumption and environment sustenance, to all ships and shore establishments.

“As a progressive step, Indian Navy has pledged 1.5% of its ‘Works’ budget towards renewable energy generation,” stated the Navy.

The INECR

Since the inception of the INECR, one of the focus areas of Navy has been solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), at several shore establishments of the Navy, 24 MW of Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) projects consisting of both rooftop and land-based solar panels are being executed.

Also being progressively taken up are pilot projects utilizing wind or a mix of both solar and wind (hybrid). Besides reducing the carbon footprint, it will also help achieve self-sustenance in energy security.

It has been planned that High Speed Diesel (HSD) (annual usage of 6,300 kilolitres) will be replaced with B5 blend of HSD, to promote the use of biodiesel.

Under afforestation drives at Naval stations, over 18,000 plants have been planted over the last year. This would now also mitigate an estimated 365 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Among other measures that are being propagated, the Navy will promote renewable energy usage on all bases and ships, improved waste management techniques and segregated waste collection.

“An estimated savings of 140 LPG cylinders per year is accrued through implementation of biogas plants using biodegradable waste and organic waste converters across naval units,” the Navy added.

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