Universities to go green: UGC

ALLAHABAD: At a times when many cities around the world are setting targets and introducing polices for promoting renewable energy and reducing GHG (green house gases) emissions, the UGC (University Grants Commission), has invited proposals from all universities of the country, including Allahabad University (AU), to develop their campuses as green campus during the 12th five year plan.

The financial assistance upto Rs Five lakhs, for preparation of a master plan and DPR (detailed project report) has been approved.

As per a letter, send by UGC secretary, S S Sandhu, the ministry of new and renewable energy, Government of India (GOI) has taken initiatives to develop green campuses under development of solar cities programme which aims at minimum 10 % reduction in projected demand of conventional energy at the end of five years.


The UGC official instructs that the buildings within the campus should be based on green building concepts to the extent possible. Each of the institution, who would be sending such proposals, should carry out the energy and water audit of the entire campus. Sensors for lighting should be adopted and reflected in the proposed master plan, mentions the instruction.

The universities should explore the utilization of renewable energy system such as solar water heater, solar air conditioning, solar dryers, solar cookers, solar lantern, solar pumps, solar traffic signals, battery operated vehicle, hybrid systems etc. Likewise, solar cooking systems must be utilised for hostels etc.

A master plan for the entire campus should be prepared keeping in view the overall reduction in fossil fuel based energy by 25% within next 5 years by utilizing renewable energy applications, and taking suitable measures for energy conservation and energy efficiency.

Institutions have also been asked to organise an awareness/training workshop in their respective campuses regarding renewable energy applications, and taking suitable measures for energy conservation and energy efficiency.

Besides, the possibility of redesigning of exterior surfaces of the buildings with energy efficient material may be explored.

AU PRO, Prof K N Uttam said, “AU administration has already started following the instructions of the UGC and to start with, varsity has commenced budgeting of the energy after which we would be conducting auditing of individual units wherein energy consumed and utilised would be audited”. In the second step, the proposal would be sent to the UGC, he said.