Union Minister R.K Singh Launches Star-rated Appliances Program, Hails BEE’s Completion Of A Decade Of PAT Scheme

Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R K Singh, while commending the contribution of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in building an energy-efficient economy, on Wednesday launched the Star-rated appliances program and also hailed the completion of a decade of PAT Scheme. He was speaking at a function to celebrate the 21st Foundation Day of Bureau of Energy Efficiency in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Union Minister urged BEE to play greater role for shaping India’s Energy Transition roadmap for more initiatives and said that BEE and EESL have facilitated our country in achieving the goals it set for itself in terms of reduction of emissions. “Our per capita emissions are very low compared to the world average; we are 1/3 of the world average. Despite that, we had pledged in 2015 that we will reduce our emissions intensity by 33% by 2030, and we shall achieve that goal well before 2030.” Mr. Singh said.

Shri Singh said that India should target for electrification of all MSMEs. “We have large number of MSME, which use coke, oil and other fossil fuels. I want all of them to be electrified and then green the electricity. That is the best way to achieve emission reduction targets”, he added.

Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power praised the BEE for their excellent work and said that BEE is an important player in implementing the LiFE mission launched by Hon’ble PM, Shri Narendra Modi. He asked BEE to leverage social media for reaching the masses and bringing about behaviour change. “It is a matter of pride, the efforts of BEE has achieved 50% of the outcomes which India is now showcasing in front of the world. 50% of India’s Emission intensity reduction has come from what BEE has achieved with a staff of 120 people”, he added.

The Hon’ble Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R K Singh launched the Voluntary Star Labelling Programme for multi-door refrigerators, table and wall-mounted fans, pedestal fans, and induction hobs on the BEE’s 21st Foundation Day function. This program is expected to save approximately 11.2 billion units of electricity by 2030 and will enable the reduction of CO2 emission close to 9 million tonne by 2030 and shall support India to transition towards low carbon sustainable growth and achieve its ambition of net zero by 2070. To enhance the impact of PAT, a program namely DEEP (Demonstration of Energy Efficient Project) is being implemented. While celebrating the decade of PAT, MoUs were signed by Designated Consumers (DCs). Total 13 energy intensive sectors including more than 1000 Designated Consumers were covered during this period. These sectors have been able to realise a total of 24 MToE energy savings during this period which is equivalent to emission reduction of 106 MTCO2.

Spearheading the country’s initiatives on various levels, the Star-labelling program formulated by the BEE under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, now covers 34 appliances, including the four newly added energy-efficient appliances. The voluntary program of these newly added appliances will be effective from March 1, 2023, according to BEE Director General Shri Abhay Bakre.

Power Minister Shri R K Singh also launched the iDEEKSHA Portal. Industrial Decarbonization and EE Knowledge-Sharing Platform, iDEEKSHA is a platform developed under the Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Energy (ASPIRE) Technical 1 Assistance Programme. Further iDEEKSHA Newsletter and a flyer were also launched by the Hon’ble Ministers. ASPIRE is a bilateral program implemented by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Government of UK in association with Ministry of Power and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

iDEEKSHA is designed to serve as one-stop shop for all energy efficiency and decarbonisation needs of Indian energy-intensive industries. It aims to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and experience and best practices related to the wide gamut of stakeholders such as industries, industrial associations, technology and service providers, and research institutions etc.

The BEE is implementing several other innovative energy efficiency schemes and national programs that have been successfully designed and implemented like the PAT Scheme, Standards and Labelling for Energy Efficient Appliances, Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC), Demand Side Management etc.

About BEE

BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. It assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act.