Hyderabad: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has been awarded the prestigious “Impact Player of the Year” award for 2023-24 at the 25th Silver Jubilee CII Awards held here. The award recognizes EESL’s exceptional achievements in promoting energy efficiency, particularly through its transformative UJALA program.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Awards witnessed participation from over 500 organizations, with 207 being shortlisted for detailed scrutiny by an esteemed jury panel. EESL stood out for its monumental contribution to India’s lighting industry, revolutionizing it through the UJALA initiative. Launched in 2015, UJALA has distributed more than 36 crore LED bulbs and installed over 1.3 crore streetlights, covering 3.5 lakh kilometers of roads across India. This initiative has driven substantial energy savings, reduced electricity bills, and contributed to environmental conservation by lowering CO2 emissions.
At the award ceremony, Milind Deora, Secretary of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), praised India’s ongoing energy revolution, largely driven by initiatives like UJALA, the Standards & Labelling program, and the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme. He noted that these programs are pivotal in reducing energy consumption across sectors, propelling the country toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Deora emphasized the need for proactive states, particularly Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, to continue focusing on energy efficiency, which he described as a crucial factor for the economic development of Hyderabad and Amaravati.
Vishal Kapoor, CEO of EESL, expressed his gratitude for the recognition and commended his team for their commitment to energy efficiency. “India has ignited an energy efficiency revolution with demand-side management programs like UJALA, which is the world’s largest domestic lighting replacement initiative. UJALA has not only reduced electricity bills but has also contributed significantly to environmental protection,” Kapoor said. He highlighted the program’s impact, noting that it has helped India avoid a peak demand of 9,586 MW and achieve annual monetary savings of ₹19,152 crore. EESL’s work aligns closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Digital and sustainable India.
Animesh Mishra, Head of Sales and Communications at EESL, also spoke at the event, showcasing the organization’s efforts to make energy-efficient products accessible to consumers. He introduced EESL’s new e-commerce platform, EESLmart.in, which offers affordable energy-efficient solutions to the public. Mishra underscored that initiatives like UJALA are not only driving energy savings but also enhancing the financial well-being of households across the country.
The UJALA program has had a particularly strong impact in southern states such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. In Telangana alone, approximately 28.75 lakh LED bulbs have been distributed, resulting in annual energy savings of 374 million kWh and monetary savings of ₹149 crore. Additionally, the state has avoided a peak demand of 75 MW and reduced CO2 emissions by over 3.02 lakh tonnes annually. These achievements underscore Telangana’s growing role in India’s energy efficiency landscape.
Milind Deora, while presenting the award, commended EESL for its visionary approach in transforming the lighting industry through the UJALA program. “This prestigious recognition underscores India’s emergence as a global leader in energy efficiency. Every participant in this award ceremony is a winner, but EESL’s role in transforming the energy landscape is truly remarkable,” Deora stated.
EESL’s leadership in large-scale energy efficiency initiatives like UJALA has placed India on the global map as a role model for sustainable energy solutions. The company’s efforts not only contribute to the nation’s economic development but also set a benchmark for future energy efficiency programs worldwide. With ongoing efforts and innovations, EESL is poised to continue driving India’s energy revolution and enhancing its global standing in the energy sector.
