India has demonstrated commendable progress in energy conservation, outperforming the global average in recent years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s energy intensity improved by 2.5% between 2010 and 2019, surpassing the global average of 2%. A press release on this progress was issued on December 10, 2024.
The trend of improved energy intensity has continued in recent years. Between 2021 and 2024, India’s energy intensity further improved by 1.6%, while the global average was 1.3%. For 2024 alone, India is projected to achieve a 2.5% improvement, compared to the global estimate of 1%.
Key Government Initiatives
The Government of India has implemented several key energy conservation programs to achieve these results:
- Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme encourages industries to reduce energy intensity.
- Standards and Labeling Scheme promotes energy-efficient appliances.
- Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) Scheme has led to widespread adoption of energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- Energy Conservation Building Code sets standards for energy-efficient building design and construction.
- The government is promoting the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Significant Energy Savings
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) estimates that the implementation of various energy efficiency schemes has resulted in a cumulative energy savings of 53.60 Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MTOE) for the year 2023-24. This represents approximately 5.89% of the country’s total primary energy supply.
India’s strong performance in energy conservation demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development and energy efficiency. By implementing effective policies and promoting energy-efficient practices, India is making significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable future.
