On 11th January 2020, the Ministry of Power in association with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) organized the 30th National Energy Conservation Awards 2020 (NECA 2020). R.K. Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy was the Chief Guest of the event.
i.Around 57 units from 5 sectors were awarded for their energy conservation & energy efficiency efforts.
ii.Around 409 units participated in NECA 2020, they have together saved 3, 007 Million units & substantial thermal energy savings resulting in savings of INR 1, 503 Crores.
iii.During the event,
- Standards and Labelling Programme for Air Compressors & Ultra High Definition (UHD) TV on voluntary basis was initiated.
- SAATHEE (State-wise Action on Annual Targets & Headways on Energy Efficiency) – A portal for State Designated Agency (SDA) for state level activities was also launched.
Key Points:
i.The 5 sectors under NECA 2020 are Industry, Transport, Building, Institution & Appliance.
ii.Some Major Awards –
- Energy Management Centre, Kerala bagged the 1st Prize in the State Designated Agencies Category for its effective energy conservation programmes.
- Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO) bagged the 2nd prize in State Category for effective implementation of Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), It was the 1st State in India to incorporate ECBC in state specific Municipal Act.
- Indian Railways bagged 13 awards at NECA 2020.
- The full list of awards can be accessed here.
iii.The Star Labelling Program for Air Compressor & UHD TV will be effective from January 2021. It is expected to save 8.41 Billion Units of Electricity till 2030.
iv.SAATHEE – It is an Management Information System (MIS) portal developed by BEE for real-time monitoring of progress of implementation of various Energy Conservation steps at the State Level.
Key Points from the Launch:
i.India has the lowest per capita emission & per capita energy consumption in the world.
ii.India has set targets
- To reduce emission intensity to 33-35% by 2030 compared to 2005 level
- Target for Renewable energy capacity has been increased to 450 Gigawatts (GW) by 2030.
- India is responsible for 1 % of Global Emission which is lower than 60% of the Global average.
iii.RK Singh also highlighted the Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) Scheme being implemented by BEE.
- PAT is a compliance mechanism to accelerate improvements in energy efficiency in energy intensive industries.
- BEE is implementing it under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE). NMEEE is one of the 8 national missions under which the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was launched by India in 2008.
- PAT Cycle II has achieved emission reduction of 61 Million Ton of CO2.
iv.A system of ranking of States based on Energy Efficiency and resource conservation was also proposed.
v.Agriculture is the next important sector to focus on energy efficiency.
Recent Related News:
i.MoS for Power Ministry, Raj Kumar Singh unveiled e-book titled “ A Report on Impact of Energy Efficiency Measures” for the year 2018-19 which stated that energy efficiency initiatives by BEE led to savings worth Rs 89,122 crore in 2018-19.
ii.On March 2, 2020, BEE launched a star rating programme for Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC) and Deep Freezers under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 in New Delhi.
About Ministry of Power:
Minister of State (Independent Charge) – RK Singh
About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
Director General- Abhay Bakre
Headquarters- New Delhi
BEE works under Ministry of Power.
