India’s Energy Efficiency Drive: Targeting 89 Mtoe Savings By 2030

The government has developed sector-wide plans to enhance energy efficiency across industries, buildings, transport, and other areas. The goal is to reduce energy consumption by 89 million tonnes of oil equivalent by 2030 compared to a scenario without these interventions. Various measures have been introduced to ensure energy savings while addressing growing demand, particularly in cooling solutions.

With increasing cooling requirements, sustainable cooling has become essential. To promote energy-efficient cooling, two building codes have been introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency for adoption by states. The Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code applies to commercial buildings, while the Eco Niwas Samhita focuses on residential buildings. These codes aim to make buildings more energy-efficient and reduce overall power consumption. Additionally, air conditioners, ceiling fans, and refrigerators now fall under the mandatory compliance of the Standard and Labelling program to encourage the use of energy-efficient appliances. The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has also launched the India Cooling Action Plan to manage cooling demand sustainably.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Ministry of Power, has implemented several initiatives to promote energy efficiency in industries, transportation, and households. The Perform, Achieve, and Trade scheme helps energy-intensive industries reduce their energy use. It sets sector-specific targets and allows industries to earn tradable Energy Saving Certificates when they exceed their targets. This system not only ensures cost-effective energy savings but also offers flexibility in compliance.

To encourage informed consumer choices, the Standards and Labelling program assigns star ratings from 1 to 5 for major energy-consuming appliances, with 5-star ratings representing the most efficient models. Consumers are urged to select higher-rated appliances to minimize electricity use.

For the building sector, states and local authorities are expected to adopt and enforce the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code and the Eco Niwas Samhita to ensure energy efficiency. The transport sector also plays a role in energy conservation, with the introduction of Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms for passenger cars. These regulations help lower energy consumption and promote sustainability in transportation.

Through these combined efforts, the government aims to achieve significant energy savings and encourage the adoption of energy-efficient practices across key sectors, ensuring a more sustainable future.