Power Minister Shri R.K. Singh unveils EESL’s National Efficient Cooking Programme & Energy Efficient Fans Programme

2024-12-30 07:04:34 Environment

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New Delhi, 2 November 2023 ? Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under the Ministry of Power, launched its groundbreaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) today, unveiled by Hon?ble Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh. These initiatives are aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in India and emphasizing the importance and urgency of energy-efficient fans. As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fan and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cookstoves nationwide.

The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cookstoves, offering a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods, promising both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions. By deploying 20 Lakh Induction cookstoves across India, EESL seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens. EESL has also partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops. The deployment is expected to accelerate the acceptance and large-scale adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.

The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) focuses on deploying energy-efficient BLDC fans, with the goal of distributing 1 crore ceiling fans. These initiatives not only reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, but also enhances consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills, creating a win-win situation for all.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon?ble Union Minister for Power, New & Renewable Energy, Shri R.K. Singh, said ?EESL has been instrumental in India's energy transition journey, working in tandem with BEE to introduce pioneering schemes unmatched on a global scale. These initiatives have significantly reduced carbon emissions by 45 million tonne and prevented a peak power demand of 12 GW. EESL, a joint venture of public sector units, has played a crucial role in transforming our lighting infrastructure through the widespread adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting.

As a nation, we successfully shifted a substantial portion of our cooking from imported fuels to LPG-based systems, addressing our strategic need to reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. Electric cooking is an avenue we're actively promoting, particularly for low-income families. In the realm of cooling solutions, while wealthier individuals may opt for air conditioners, EESL aims to achieve a 35% reduction in electricity consumption for fans, both in organized and unorganized sectors. The goal is to ensure that all citizens have access to the best and most energy-efficient options, solidifying India's global leadership in energy transition efforts. We commend EESL for their significant contributions and seek to replicate the success achieved with LED lighting for cookstoves on a national scale.?

Hon?ble Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri Pankaj Agarwal said, ?I'd like to commend EESL for these two remarkable initiatives. While these efforts may appear limited presently, their true significance lies in their catalytic potential. The fan market in our country is estimated at around INR 10,500 crores, with a substantial portion of the demand arising from replacements. EESL's introduction of the 5-star labeling program is poised to stimulate significant replacement demand for ceiling fans across India. EESL's approach to demand aggregation is set to have a substantial outreach. We are also focusing on addressing hard-to-abate sectors, with one solution being the electrification of the economy. The most readily achievable goals involve the electrification of vehicles and cooking solutions. Given that we have over 300 million households to cover, it would take considerable time to reach them all at the current pace. However, I am confident that EESL's outreach will drive down prices and benefit our citizens on a large scale.?

Shri Vishal Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EESL, said, ?Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards a greener, more energy-efficient India. With the launch of the National Efficient Cooking Programme and the Energy Efficient Fan Programme, EESL is taking bold steps to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints in Indian households. Our past initiatives, such as the distribution of millions of LED bulbs under UJALA and installation of streetlights under Streetlighting National Programme, have already made a substantial impact by reducing energy consumption, preventing peak demand, and cutting CO2 emissions.

The National Efficient Cooking Programme will revolutionize cooking practices, offering 25-30% cost savings and promoting electric cooking as a sustainable solution. In parallel, through the Energy Efficient Fans Programme, we will deploy 10 million energy-efficient ceiling fans, creating a movement for energy efficiency, akin to our successful UJALA initiative. Our focus is on generating demand and creating an ecosystem where energy-efficient products are readily available. We aim to not just sell fans but to transform the market, particularly in urban areas, by promoting energy-efficient BLDC fans. To drive this movement, we are committed to ensuring competitive prices and easy accessibility through an inventory-less and automated B2B E-marketplace. Our focus is on generating demand and creating an ecosystem where energy-efficient products are readily available. Together, we can make a profound impact on energy efficiency and environmental preservation in India.?

Highlighting the relevance of EESL initiatives, Shri. Abhay Bakre, Director General Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) said, ?When the ministry launched the ?Go Electric? campaign, a key focus was promoting sustainable cooking and take it to every Indian household. Our goal is to reduce dependence on LPG and kerosene-based cooking, offering sustainable, low-emission alternatives. For this, we piloted initiatives in regions like Pondicherry, Kerala and Ladakh, with EESL leading the charge in transforming clean cooking in India. Additionally, the BLDC Fans program aims to enhance efficiency for cooling while conserving energy considering 4 crore fans are sold every year in India. The National Cooling Plan targets efficient cooling solutions for the masses by 2024, with EESL supporting these efforts. Both EESL's NECP and EEFP initiatives will provide innovative, affordable solutions on a large scale, taking India on a growth trajectory."

India has long relied on biomass-based cooking alternatives, which have had a detrimental impact on citizens' health and the environment. Additionally, with 60% of India's future energy demand expected to come from the cooling sector, it has become imperative to find sustainable and energy-efficient solutions for cooking and cooling. Moreover, EESL has been actively dedicated to encouraging the adoption of energy-efficient appliances, such as LED bulbs, tube lights, and high-performance fans. Notably, ceiling fans contribute to approximately *40% of total residential electricity consumption, which accounts for over a quarter of India's overall electricity usage. By replacing all current ceiling fans with the most efficient models available today, nearly 20% of total residential electricity consumption can be diminished. EESL aims to capitalize on this potential for savings by deploying 1 crore 5-star energy-efficient ceiling fans across India.

About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):

A joint venture of NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation and POWERGRID, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) was set up under the Ministry of Power to facilitate implementation of energy efficiency projects. EESL is a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO) that seeks to unlock energy efficiency market in India, estimated to at Rs. 74,000 crore that can potentially result in energy savings of up to 20 per cent of current consumption, by way of innovative business and implementation models. It also acts as the resource centre for capacity building of State DISCOMs, ERCs, SDAs, upcoming ESCOs, financial institutions, etc.