Energy conservation

Acts and Policies

Energy Conservation Act

Considering the vast potential of energy savings and benefits of energy efficiency, the Government of India enacted the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (52 of 2001). The Act provides for the legal framework, institutional arrangement and a regulatory mechanism at the Central and State level to embark upon energy efficiency drive in the country. Five major provisions of EC Act relate to Designated Consumers, Standard and Labelling of Appliances, Energy Conservation Building Codes, Creation of Institutional Set up (BEE) and Establishment of Energy Conservation Fund.

The Energy Conservation Act became effective from 1st March, 2002 and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) operationalized from 1st March, 2002. Energy efficiency institutional practices and programs in India are now mainly being guided through various voluntary and mandatory provisions of the Energy Conservation Act. The EC Act was amended in 2010 and the main amendments of the Act are given below:

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2010- Main Amendments

1. The Central Government may issue the energy savings certificate to the designated consumer whose energy consumption is less than the prescribed norms and standards in accordance with the procedure as may be prescribed.
2. The designated consumer whose energy consumption is more than the prescribed norms and standards shall be entitled to purchase the energy savings certificate to comply with the prescribed norms and standards.
3. The Central Government may, in consultation with the Bureau, prescribe the value of per metric ton of oil equivalent of energy consumed.
4. Commercial buildings which are having a connected load of 100 kW or contract demand of 120 kVA and above come under the purview of ECBC under EC Act.

National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting

The initiative is part of the Government’s efforts to spread the message of energy efficiency in the country. LED bulbs have a very long life, almost 50 times more than ordinary bulbs, and 8-10 times that of CFLs, and therefore provide both energy and cost savings in the medium term.

Under this scheme, Government aims to replace 3.5 crore conventional street lights with energy efficient LED lights. .

Standards and Labelling programme

Standards and Labelling (S&L) programme has been identified as one of the key activities for energy efficiency improvements. The scheme was launched on 18th May 2006

Key objective of the scheme

To provide the consumer an informed choice about the energy saving and thereby the cost saving potential of the relevant marketed product.

Coverage of equipments under the scheme

• The scheme is currently invoked for 12 equipment’s/appliances, i.e. ACs, Tube lights, Frost Free Refrigerators, Distribution Transformers, Induction Motors, Direct Cool Refrigerator, Geysers, Ceiling fans, Colour TVs, Agricultural pump sets, LPG stoves and Washing machine.
• Four equipments / appliances viz. ACs, Tube lights, Frost Free Refrigerators and Distribution Transformers have been notified under mandatory labelling from 7th January, 2010. The other appliances are presently under voluntary labeling phase.

The energy efficiency labelling programs under BEE are intended to reduce the energy consumption of appliance without diminishing the services it provides to consumers. The STAR rating ranges from 1 to 5 in the increasing order of energy efficiency.

Source : Ministry of Power

Related Resources

1. BEE-INDIA
2. MNRE
3. EESL