Union Minister R K Singh on Monday, released the report of the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22, during the RPM (Review, Planning and Monitoring) meeting of States and State Utilities in New Delhi.

The index, developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has an updated framework of 50 indicators aligned with national priorities. Programme-specific indicators have been included this year to track outcomes and impacts of state-level energy efficiency initiatives.

Launching the index, the union minister said, “As we transition to a low-carbon economy, it is crucial to ensure sustainable development with Energy Transition that ensures no one is left behind. Periodic tracking of states’ energy efficiency progress and outcomes is essential to contribute effectively to the nation's climate commitments.”

Notably, the BEE is a statutory body under the Power Ministry, in association with the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE), which assesses the annual progress of states and UTs in energy efficiency implementation.

According to the index, 5 states - Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana are in the Front Runner category (with over 60 points) while 4 states - Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab are in the Achiever category (50-60 points).

Moreover, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top-performing states in their respective state groups. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showed the most improvement since the last index.

According to the BEE's Director General, “India is committed to achieving NDC goals and transitioning to a net-zero economy by 2070. This requires collaboration between central and state governments, judicious resource allocation, policy alignment, and regular progress tracking. The SEEI tracks progress in managing states’ and India's energy footprint, driving energy efficiency policies and programmes at the state and local level.”   

Image courtesy: PIB