Mumbai saves 71 MW during Earth Hour

Equal to powering 1.5 lakh houses for an hour.

The city put up a better show during this year’s 60+ Earth Hour, saving 71 megawatts (mw) between 8.30pm to 9.30pm on Saturday, equivalent to lighting up to 1.5 lakh households in the city for an hour, said Sanjay Shinde, chief engineer, state load dispatch system. Last year, Mumbai saved to 50mw.

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On Saturday evening, several parts of Mumbai turned off the electricity to mark the annual global event that highlights global warming and environmental degradation.

The marquee rally in Matunga was organised by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – India, and was supported by Don Bosco School, Matunga. Around 100 students from the school participated, pledged to care for the environment and mobilise others do the same.

“We told participants to work for the environment beyond the 60 minutes when the lights are off. We must convert participation in Earth Hour into real action,” said Savio Silveira, director, Greenline, Don Bosco Development Society’s environment forum.

Powai residents also took to the streets, participating in discussions on renewable energy and water conservation. “Around 300 people discussed solar energy. We also advocated dry Holi. Our team went around asking people to participate in Earth Hour,” said Elsie Gabriel, founder, Young Environmentalists Programme Trust.