Union Power Minister R.K. Singh launched the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 report.

With an overall score of 82.5 out of 100, Karnataka is the top-performing state in SEEI 2021-22. Karnataka has implemented various initiatives to increase energy efficiency adoption in the state.

Andhra Pradesh is the second-highest performer with a score of 77.5 out of 100.

Five states, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan and Kerala have featured in the front-runner category.

What is SEEI?

• The State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) has been developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) to track energy efficiency initiatives in the states and UTs. 

• The first index, State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index 2018, was launched in 2018. The second and third editions of the State Energy Efficiency Index were launched in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

• The State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22 assesses the performance of the 36 states and UTs in energy efficiency implementation for the FY 2020-21 and 2021-22 using 50 indicators across seven sectors, namely: buildings, industry, municipal services, transport, agriculture, distribution companies (discoms), and cross-sectoral initiatives.

The objectives of SEEI 2021-22 are to:

• Help drive EE policies and programme implementation at the state and local level.

• Highlight best practices and encourage healthy competition among states.

• Track progress in managing the states’ and India’s energy footprint.

• Institutionalise state-level data capture and monitoring of state EE activities by State Designated Agencies (SDAs).

SEEI 2021-22 Results

• SEEI 2021-22 categorises the states and UTs as ‘Front runner’ (>60), ‘Achiever’ (50-60), ‘Contender’ (30-49.5), and ‘Aspirant’ (<30) based on their total scores. 

• Karnataka is the top-performing state in SEEI 2021-22. 

• Five states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Telangana are in the ‘Front runner’ category in SEEI 2021-22. 

• Four states namely Assam, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab are in the ‘Achiever’ category.

• Eight states, namely Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh are in the ‘Contender’ category. 

• As many as 28 states improved their scores compared to SEEI 2020, of which seven states have improved by more than 15 points. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are the two most improved states, increasing their scores by 45.5 and 27 points, respectively, due to improvements in reporting the common indicators and the data furnished for the programme-specific indicators.

• In contrast, Tamil Nadu saw the largest decline in score in SEEI 2021-22, 22.5 points, primarily due to a lack of reported data.

The key findings of SEEI 2021-22 are summarised below:

• While State Designated Agencies (SDAs) demonstrated eagerness and competitiveness to submit relevant data within short timeframes, data on the impacts and outcomes of most energy efficiency measures, such

as penetration of green buildings and passenger electric vehicles, energy savings, and emissions reductions from energy efficiency programmes, is largely unavailable with the SDAs.

• The states are yet to develop a structured process or framework to capture data on energy efficiency implementation across the economy-wide focus sectors.

• Except for a few states, most states and UTs are yet to scale up energy efficiency programmes at state level to realise potentially available benefits.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency

• The government of India set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on March 1, 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. 

• The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy. 

• BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organisations and recognise, identify and utilise the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act. The Energy Conservation Act provides for regulatory and promotional functions.

Major promotional functions of BEE include:

• Create awareness and disseminate information on energy efficiency and conservation.

• Arrange and organise training of personnel and specialists in the techniques for efficient use of energy and its conservation.

• Strengthen consultancy services in the field of energy conservation. 

• Promote research and development.

• Develop testing and certification procedures and promote testing facilities.

• Formulate and facilitate implementation of pilot projects and demonstration projects.

• Promote use of energy efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems.

• Take steps to encourage preferential treatment for use of energy efficient equipment or appliances. 

• Promote innovative financing of energy efficiency projects.

• Give financial assistance to institutions for promoting efficient use of energy and its conservation.

• Prepare educational curriculum on efficient use of energy and its conservation.

• Implement international cooperation programmes relating to efficient use of energy and its conservation.

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