About
- India will join the International Energy Efficiency Hub, a global platform dedicated to fostering collaboration and promoting energy efficiency worldwide. This move solidifies India’s commitment to sustainable development and aligns with its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Established in 2020 as the successor to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC), in which India was a member, the Hub brings together governments, international organizations, and private sector entities to share knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions.
- By joining the Hub, India will gain access to a vast network of experts and resources, enabling it to enhance its domestic energy efficiency initiatives. As of July, 2024, sixteen countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States and United Kingdom) have joined the Hub.
- As a member of the Hub, India will benefit from opportunities for collaboration with other member states, sharing its own expertise and learning from international best practices. The country will also contribute to global efforts to address climate change by promoting energy-efficient technologies and practices.
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the statutory agency, has been designated as the implementing agency for the Hub on behalf of India. BEE will play a crucial role in facilitating India’s participation in the Hub’s activities and ensuring that India’s contributions align with its national energy efficiency goals.
- By joining the Hub, India is taking a significant step towards more sustainable future. The country’s participation in this global platform will help to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and improve energy security.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- BEE was established on 1st March 2002, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, under the Ministry of Power.
- The mission of BEE is to assist in developing policies and strategies for energy efficiency with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
- Functions: It is responsible for regulatory and promotional functions outlined in the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- BEE has helped India reduce its energy consumption by around 3.5%.
Coal Share in Power Mix
- Coal’s share in the power mix is projected to decline from 73% in 2022-23 to 55% in 2030.
- Impact on Coal Usage:
- Although the share of coal in power generation is set to reduce, in absolute terms, coal power capacity and generation will increase between 2023 and 2030.
- Coal capacity is projected to rise by 19%, and generation is expected to increase by 13% during this period.
Solar Energy Contribution
- Solar energy is expected to play a significant role in the power mix, lifting the overall load.
- Projections indicate a quadrupling of solar capacity from 109 GW to 392 GW by 2030.
- Solar generation is expected to increase from 173 BU to 761 BU in the same period.
Role of Natural Gas in the Power Generation Mix
- Despite aspirations to increase the share of natural gas, its contribution to power generation remains small.
- The report estimates the likely retirement of 2,121.5 MW of coal plants by 2030, with 304 MW set to be retired during 2022-23.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- The power sector contributes approximately 40% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
- Power sector emissions are projected to rise by 11%, reaching 1.114 Gt CO2 in 2030, accounting for 10% of global power sector emissions.
Climate Commitments
- In terms of climate commitments, CEA’s projections indicate that India is likely to over-achieve on its pledge to the Paris Agreement – to have 50% of installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
- As per the report, India’s share of capacity from non-fossil sources will be 62% by 2030. The share will be 64% if nuclear power is considered.
Note
- Power capacity differs from generation. Capacity is the maximum power a plant can produce and is expressed in watts (or gigawatts or megawatts).
- Generation is the actual amount of power produced in one hour, expressed in watt-hours or billion units (BU).
- Contribution of Other RE Sources:
- Projections for large hydropower and wind energy remain modest in the future power mix.
- Large hydro generation is expected to increase from 8% to 9% by 2030.
- Wind generation, on the other hand, is projected to decrease to 9% in the updated version (from 12% in the previous report).
- Renewable sources, including small hydro, pumped hydro, solar, wind, and biomass, are expected to account for 31% of the power mix in 2030, compared to the current 12%.
