Ludhiana: Amid the ongoing energy crisis triggered by disruptions in LPG supplies due to the ongoing West Asia tensions, the industry is increasingly exploring alternative energy options to continue operations and reduce rising production costs. With LPG supplies uncertainty and surging fuel prices, the industrial units in Ludhiana are now turning toward solar energy. In a step in this direction, the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has tied up with a private firm to facilitate installation of solar power projects with a total capacity of 200 MW for the industry.The West Asia crisis has led to irregular LPG supplies, delays in shipments and a sharp increase in freight and fuel costs. Several industrial units that depend on LPG for heating, processing and manufacturing operations have been forced to either curtail production or shift to costlier alternatives such as diesel. The unpredictability in fuel availability has added to business uncertainty and made production planning difficult for the manufacturers.Upkar Singh Ahuja, CICU president, said in view of the ongoing energy crisis and continued uncertainty in LPG availability, the chamber had taken the initiative to tie up with a private firm for solar energy capacity worth 200 MW. He said the move was aimed at helping industries secure reliable and affordable power while reducing dependence on conventional fuels.Ahuja said energy costs had become one of the biggest concerns for the industry, particularly for MSMEs that operate on thin margins. With LPG supplies disrupted and erratic power supply, the industries are looking for sustainable and predictable power options. Solar energy, he said, offered long-term stability in power costs and can significantly reduce operational expenses.This collective approach is expected to make solar adoption feasible even for small and medium enterprises as the industries will be able to install solar systems at lower costs.He emphasized that the initiative was not only meant to tackle the current LPG crisis, but also to build long-term resilience for the industry. Adoption of solar power will help reduce dependence on volatile fuel markets, lower electricity bills and improve competitiveness.The industry members said the energy crisis had exposed the vulnerability of relying heavily on imported fuels. “With the war getting worse, it appears that the West Asia conflict is turning into a long-term crisis for the industry. Supplies of fuel disrupted, the industry would have to find a solution and solar energy might help provide some relief,” an industrialist said.
