The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, commemorated its 25th Foundation Day at the India Habitat Centre, celebrating a milestone in India’s energy efficiency journey.
The event was attended by senior dignitaries, policymakers, State Designated Agencies (SDAs), and sector stakeholders. Manohar Lal Khattar, Cabinet Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), delivered the keynote address.
Addressing the gathering, the Power Minister described BEE as a “preventive institution” for the power sector, underscoring that conserving electricity reduces the need for additional generation capacity and lowers emissions. He highlighted India’s climate progress, noting that the country has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of its 2030 target.
He outlined key achievements under major initiatives, including the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO), the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, the ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, the Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, and the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC). He also emphasised the growing importance of energy efficiency in emerging sectors such as data centres and Artificial Intelligence as India advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
In his keynote address, the Power Secretary described energy efficiency as India’s “First Fuel,” crucial for balancing energy security, affordability, and sustainability amid rising demand and expanding non-fossil capacity. He highlighted ongoing initiatives in cooling efficiency, industrial decarbonisation through carbon markets and ADEETIE, energy efficiency hubs, and fuel efficiency improvements in the transport sector.
Earlier, Krushna Chandra Panigrahy, Director General of BEE, reflected on the Bureau’s 24-year journey and reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating energy efficiency adoption across sectors.
On the occasion, the BEE@25 commemorative logo was unveiled, symbolising the organisation’s milestone year and its continued focus on sustainability, innovation, and environmental responsibility. A specially curated “BEE Journey” video showcasing the Bureau’s milestones, flagship programmes, and institutional partnerships was also screened.
The Minister formally launched the RCO Portal , aimed at strengthening monitoring, facilitating compliance, and improving coordination among stakeholders under energy efficiency programmes. The portal is expected to enhance transparency and enable data-driven decision-making.
Additionally, the BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed in collaboration with CLASP, was introduced. The app allows consumers to scan QR codes on star-labelled appliances to access verified information on energy performance, model specifications, and compliance status, thereby promoting informed purchasing decisions and reinforcing the credibility of the Standards & Labelling Programme.
The celebration also featured a fireside interaction with former Directors General of BEE, moderated by Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director of the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE). Retired officials of State Designated Agencies were felicitated for their contributions to advancing energy conservation at the state level.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from BEE to strengthen energy efficiency as a cornerstone of sustainable growth, national energy security, and environmental responsibility, aligning with India’s long-term development vision.
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