The firm, a unit of National Small Industries Corporation Limited, was entrusted the task of carrying out a preliminary survey on Thursday.

Official sources told Express Newsline that the move was aimed at saving on expenses towards electricity consumption. The VMC pays nearly Rs 20 crore annually to the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) for electricity.

The sources said 17 overhead water tanks, 30 auxiliary sewage pumping stations, water treatment plants, three sewage treatment plants and four french wells in the river Mahisagar consumed most of the electricity supplied.

Besides checking the exact energy requirements of the installations, the firm will also suggest ways to repair or change, if required, the existing machinery.

The firm, a nodal agency to carry out audit under the Government of India-UNDP Project, is expected to submit the report shortly. After the report is submitted, the administration will seek the elected wing's approval to award the contract for a full-fledged energy audit.

The sources pointed out that although all the drainage and water supply installations were not working to their full capacity, the corporation had to give a fixed amount to the GEB for drawing power.

The VMC could save at least five per cent of the amount given to the GEB once requirements were clear, the sources said, adding though the combined capacity of the three sewage treatment plants was nearly 90 million gallon per day (mgd), currently they were not even working at half their capacity.Based on the audit, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation will ask the Gujarat Electricity Board to cut down on the power supply.

This is for the first time that the civic body will go in for a full-fledged energy audit. About 10 years ago, an energy audit was undertaken, but was restricted to certain areas. The firm will also be asked to survey the street lights.

The company has so far carried out energy audits of more than 100 firms and organisations, including municipal corporations of Rajkot and Surat.