National Energy Conservation Day (NECD) is annually observed across India on 14th December to raise awareness about the importance of saving energy and encourage individuals, industries, and institutions to adopt efficient and sustainable energy practices for a better future.
- NECD is promoted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power (MoP).
Background:
i.In 1991, NECD was declared and the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) was introduced to honour industries and establishments for reducing energy use while maintaining efficiency and productivity.
- The awards were presented for the first time on 14th December 1991.
- The first-ever NECD was observed on 14th December 1991.
ii.The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was set up as the statutory body on 1st March 2002 at the central level to facilitate the implementation of the EC Act.
Energy Conservation:
i.Energy conservation involves minimising unnecessary energy use by reducing energy services.
ii.Energy efficiency offers several environmental benefits, including significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from both fossil fuel use and electricity generation.
iii.The Energy Conservation Act (EC Act) of 2001 was enacted to provide a regulatory framework for reducing the energy intensity in the Indian economy and promoting efficient energy use through a conservation strategy.
- The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022 introduced key provisions such as a carbon credit trading scheme, promoting renewable energy use, and mandating energy efficiency in large residential and industrial buildings.
National Energy Conservation Week 2024:
BEE under MoP will observe National Energy Conservation Week from 14 to 20 December 2024 across India.
Events 2024:
i.On National Energy Conservation Day 2024, Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar presided over a significant event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 14th December 2024.
- She felicitated the winners of the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation (NPCEC) 2024.
ii.The Minister of State Shripad Yesso Naik, Ministry of Power & New and Renewable Energy (MoP&NRE) presented appreciation awards to the winners of the NPCEC 2024, as well as the NECA 2024 for industries, transport, buildings, institutions, and appliances.
National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2024:
NECA and Innovation Awards comprising 23 first prizes, 19 second prizes, 25 certificates of merit, and 4 certificates of recognition for innovation.
- NECA: 20 first prizes, 18 second prizes, 25 certificates of merit.
- Innovation awards: 3 first prizes, 1 second prize, and 4 certificates of recognition.
Award Categories:
NECA Category:
Industry: Cement, Food Processing, Tyre, Drugs & Pharmaceutical, Paper & Pulp, Plastic, Chlor Alkali, Tea and Glass.
Transport: Railway Stations, Aviation
Buildings: Hotels, Hospitals, Shopping Malls & Plazas, and Airport
Institution: DISCOM, State Performance Award
Appliance of the year: Ceiling Fan, Deep Freezer, Refrigerator
Innovation Awards for Professional Category:
Industry, Transport and Building
Notable Awardees:
i.Maharashtra has secured the first prize in Group 1 of the State Performance Award under NECA 2024, while Karnataka has won the second prize.
ii.Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd. from Odisha won first prize in Cement sector under Industry Category.
iii.Renigunta Junction Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh (Amaravati) won the first prize in the Transport category under the Railway Stations sector of NECA 2024.
iii.Mumbai (Maharashtra) based SCHOTT Glass India Private Limited (100% Oxyfuel Furnace) secured the first prize in the Innovation Awards under the Professional Industry sector of NECA 2024.
iv.Lulu International Shopping Malls Pvt Ltd., from Kerala won first prize in the Shopping Malls & Plazas sector under Building Category.
Click here to read the full list of winners of NECA 2024
National PAINTING COMPETITION ON Energy Conservation 2024:
i.The MoP has been organizing the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation since 2005 to inspire young minds and promote awareness about saving energy.
ii.The competition was conducted at three stages: School, state, and national levels. It was divided into two groups, with Group ‘A’ for students of classes 5, 6, and 7, and Group ‘B’ for students of classes 8, 9, and 10.
Initiatives:
Notable efforts include those highlighted in the MoP’s Annual Report 2023-24.
i.The Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme is a market-based mechanism to reduce Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) in energy-intensive industries, saving approximately Rs. 55,000 crore annually and avoiding 110 million tons of Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
ii.The Standards and Labelling (S&L) Program, BEE runs this S&L program to promote energy-efficient appliances.As of March 2024, the program covers 38 appliances:
- 16 appliances with mandatory labels.
- 22 appliances with voluntary labels.
iii.The “Go Electric” campaign was launched by the Ministry of Power (MoP) on February 19, 2021, the campaign promotes Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Electric Cooking.
iv.The “EV Yatra“ web portal and mobile app were launched by BEE on December 14, 2022, to raise awareness and promote electric vehicles (EVs) in India. The portal helps EV users locate nearby charging stations and provide related services.
v.Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for ALL (UJALA) was launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 5th January 2015. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has distributed LED bulbs, LED tube lights, and energy-efficient fans to replace traditional and inefficient lighting and fans.
vi.The Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), launched by PM Narendra Modi on 5th January 2015, aims to replace old street lights with smart, energy-efficient LED lights across India.
About the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
The Government of India established the BEE on 1st March 2002, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
Director General – Dr Srikant Nagulpalli
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
