Energy Efficiency is not just an Option but a Necessity says Manohar Lal

At a National Conference on ‘Sustainable Cooling and Doubling the Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvement,’ Mr Manohar Lal highlighted that India’s power sector has made remarkable progress, with non-fossil fuel capacity reaching 47.15% and emission intensity reduced by 36% – well ahead of its commitments. 

The two-day conference was organised in New Delhi on Feb. 21-22, 2025 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the Power Foundation of India (PFI), under the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India.

The Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, Mr Manohar Lal, inaugurated the Conference.

While delivering his inaugural address, he remarked, “Energy efficiency is not just an option but a necessity for a cleaner, more sustainable, and economically prosperous future. By doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement, we can lower costs, enhance productivity, and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Minister also launched a Report titled ‘India Energy Scenario 2023-24’ that provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s energy landscape, trends, and progress in energy efficiency and sustainability.

The Minister also unveiled a set of Energy-Efficient Retrofit manuals and flyers designed to offer a structured approach for evaluating, planning, and carrying out retrofits in existing commercial and residential buildings. These manuals will serve as a crucial resource for States/UTs, policymakers, and stakeholders in promoting energy efficiency initiatives.

Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Mr Shripad Naik was also present at the inauguration.

In his keynote address, he said, “India stands at a crucial juncture where increasing energy demand must be balanced with ambitious climate goals. As the world’s third-largest energy consumer, our commitment to doubling energy efficiency and advancing sustainable cooling is vital for economic growth and climate action. We have met our Nationally Determined Contributions well ahead of time. Under India’s leadership, the G20 and COP28 reinforced the urgency of accelerating energy efficiency globally.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, underlined that the G20 Summit in India in 2023 was a pivotal moment in advancing global energy efficiency, highlighting energy efficiency as the ‘first fuel’ and the adoption of the Voluntary Action Plan to double the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030 through the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD). He stressed the need to optimize energy demand from various sectors to double the rate of energy savings improvement by 2030

To achieve this goal, India’s Energy Intensity (EI) improvement rate, estimated at approximately 2.5% in 2024, will need to increase to 4% by 2030, as per an estimate by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

While the policies and technologies to achieve the doubling goal are well-recognized and available, greater clarity is needed through stakeholder consultations on measuring energy intensity improvement, attributing energy savings impact, and translating global commitments into actionable steps.

There is a pressing need to address rising cooling demand and ensure access to energy-efficient, sustainable cooling solutions. The two-day conference served as a significant step toward advancing discussions, fostering collaboration, and driving actionable solutions in this domain.

The National Conference brought together key stakeholders from the government, national and international agencies, multilateral organizations, civil society, industry associations, financial institutions, and consumers.

Knowledge partners include global organizations such as the IEA, Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All), CLASP, and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), along with leading Indian think tanks like The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), the Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).

The Conference featured thematic sessions covering Buildings, Appliances, Industry, Transport, Investment, and Sustainable Cooling. More than 50 speakers and 250 delegates were part of the Conference.