Introduction of management system approach in implementing energy efficiency improvement in the textile industry: experience from Pakistan

摘要

Like many other developing and developed countries, Energysecurity is the greatest challenge for economic development facingPakistan. In recent years, prolonged energy outages haveled to public demonstrations and riots. These extended energyoutages have also significantly hampered economic growth andmany industrial units have been forced to limit the operations.Textile is one of the most important industrial sub-sector ofthe economy in Pakistan, contributing to 8.5 % of the country’sGDP, having 50 % share in its total exports and providing directemployment to over 3.75 million people. 35 % of manufacturingsector labor force is employed in textile. Textile sector consumesaround 1,500 MW of electricity, while captive power generationsystems (in-house gas based) supply 70 % of this power. Becauseof considerable share of energy in total operating costs and risingenergy prices, Pakistan’s textile sector faces significant challengesfor its competitiveness in international markets.This paper highlights the significance and benefits of EnergyManagement System (EnMS) approach in improvingenergy management of a company, leading towards continualimprovement of energy efficiency. It further investigatesthe difference of EnMS with conventional Energy Auditingapproach. The paper elaborates on the case study of textileindustry in Pakistan and energy efficiency improvementsachieved in the textile sector. It further identifies the barriersin promoting Energy Management System approach inthe industrial sector of Pakistan. The case study shows thatthe companies achieved significant energy savings throughadopting systematic approach however lack of financial instrumentslimit the maximum realization of energy savingpotential in these companies.