National Energy Conservation Day is annually observed across India on 14 December to raise awareness about the importance of conserving energy and to promote sustainable energy practices. The day also aims to showcase the achievements of India in energy efficiency and conservation.
- The National Energy Conservation Day is annually organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India (GoI).
Background:
i.BEE launched the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) in 1991 to recognise the contributions of industries and establishments to reduce energy consumption while maintaining their production by felicitating them with Energy Conservation Awards.
ii.The Awards were given away for the 1st time on December 14, 1991. Since then, the day (14th December) has been marked as the National Energy Conservation Day.
- The National Energy Conservation Day was 1st observed on December 14, 1991.
Energy Conservation:
i.Energy conservation is the practice of reducing energy use and waste. It can be accomplished by using less energy to perform work or by not using energy at all.
ii.Globally, energy conservation has enormous potential to boost economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
iii.The GoI has enacted the Energy Conservation Act of 2001 to provide a regulatory framework for the formulation and implementation of an Energy Conservation strategy in India for the efficient use of energy.
National Energy Conservation Week:
BEE under the guidance of MoP will observe National Energy Conservation Week from 14 to 20 December 2023 throughout India.
- Energy Conservation Awards will be felicitated during Energy Conservation Week.
2023 Events:
President Droupadi Murmu graced the National Energy Conservation Day 2023 event held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi (Delhi) on December 14, 2023. She also felicitated the winners of the:
- 33rd National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023;
- 3rd National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) 2023; and
- National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2023.
Key People:
Union Minister Raj Kumar Singh, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE); Krishan Pal, Minister of State, Ministry of Heavy Industries(MHI); and Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, MoP were also present at the event.
National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023:
i.To raise awareness about energy efficiency and its conservation, the BEE recognises and supports industrial units, institutions, and establishments in reducing energy consumption by felicitating them with Energy Conservation Awards.
ii.A total of 516 applications were received, out of this, a total of 63 winners were recognised, including: 20 1st prizes, 16 2nd prizes, and 27 Certificates of Merit.
Award Categories:
Category A:
- Buildings: Government Offices, Corporate Offices.
- Industries: Thermal Power Plant (Coal/Gas), Petroleum Refinery, Aluminium (Large/Small), Ceramic, Dairy, Fertilizer, among others.
- Transport: Zonal Railways
- Institutions: State Designed Agency (SDAs)
- Appliances: Energy Efficient Appliance of the Year (Refrigerators, Washing Machines, etc.)
Category B: Students and Research Scholars
Noted Awardees:
i.Haryana has been selected for NECA 2023 for its outstanding performance in the State Energy Efficiency Index.
- Haryana was awarded the 2nd prize in the State Energy Efficiency Performance Award.
ii.South Western Railway (SWR), headquartered in Hubballi (Karnataka), has been selected for the NECA 2023 in the ‘Transport’ category for achieving Energy Efficieny in non-traction and traction segment.
- For the 1st time SWR was awarded with the Certificate of Merit 2021 NECA award in the category of Transport on 14 December 2021.
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2023/dec/doc20231214287401.pdf
National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) 2023:
i.NEEIA was started in the year 2021 to recognise outstanding work and innovative minds of India in the area of Energy Efficiency.
ii.The award categories are: Category A: Industries, Building and Transport, and Category B: Students and Research Scholars.
iii.The awards are evaluated based on Replicability, Affordability, Reliability, Impact on Energy Savings, and Impact on Environment & Sustainability.
iv.A total of 187 applications were received, out of this, a total of 8 prizes comprising: 1 1st prize, 1 2nd prize, and 6 Certificates of Recognition were awarded.
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2023/dec/doc20231214287501.pdf
About the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
GoI set up BEE on 1st March 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 provisions to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Director General– Abhay Bakre
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
