India’s Mission LiFE gains momentum: Andhra emerges as a “Beacon of Energy Efficiency”

Amaravati: In a significant stride towards India’s ambitious climate objectives, the esteemed Chief Information Commission has officially endorsed an integrated approach to implementing the Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment) program.

This initiative, spearheaded by India, is envisioned as a global mass movement, aimed at motivating individuals and communities to actively participate in environmental protection and preservation. The program is closely aligned with India’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by one billion tons by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Sri. Heeralal Samaria, Chief Information Commissioner, emphasized the urgent need for a strategy centered on energy efficiency to meet these climate targets.

With extensive experience in the power sector, particularly during his tenure in the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh, Samaria called for proactive measures and robust stakeholder engagement at the grassroots level. He stressed the importance of widespread dissemination of information about energy efficiency (EE) technologies and public participation in ensuring the successful implementation of these programs.

In efforts to consult with leading national and global experts on scaling up EE programs, A. Chandra Sekhara Reddy, Media Advisor (Southern States/UTs) of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, met with Sri. Samaria in Delhi. He briefed Samaria on the various achievements in EE, its impact, and the comprehensive communication strategies adopted in Southern States and UTs.

During these discussions, the Chief Information Commissioner lauded the continuous efforts of state governments, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), and the Ministry of Power. These efforts culminated in significant achievements in the fiscal year 2022-23, including monetary benefits worth ₹194,320 crore, energy savings of 306 billion kWh of electricity, and 24.68 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) in thermal energy, all of which have substantially boosted the economy.

Under the Perform, Achieve & Trade (PAT) scheme, BEE has played a pivotal role in achieving national energy savings of 8.67 MTOE and reducing 31 million tons of CO2 emissions under PAT Cycle I. These successes continued into PAT Cycle II, with savings of 14.08 MTOE and a reduction of 68.43 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Andhra Pradesh: A Beacon of Energy Efficiency: The state of Andhra Pradesh has been particularly commendable in its energy efficiency efforts. BEE has set a target of 6.68 MTOE of energy savings for the state by 2030, in line with the Government of India’s roadmap to reduce projected carbon emissions by 887 million tons before 2030. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a global leader in energy efficiency, contributing over 50% towards reducing global warming and addressing the urgent challenge of climate change. According to a report by BEE, the CIC noted that, as per the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), if just one in eight billion people worldwide adopts Mission LIFE initiatives and environmentally friendly behaviors in their daily lives, global carbon emissions could drop by up to 20%.

India’s leadership in this domain was further highlighted at the 4th Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) meeting under India’s G20 Presidency, held in Goa. This prestigious event, attended by 100 delegates from G20 member countries and international organizations, marked another milestone in India’s journey towards sustainable energy.

Success Stories in Andhra Pradesh: Heeralal Samaria, while appreciating the efforts of Southern States, particularly the Telugu States, praised Andhra Pradesh for its commendable initiatives. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, who assumed office for the fourth time just three months ago, the state has taken swift and decisive action to combat climate change. One of his earliest steps was the release of BEE’s poster on Mission LIFE, which is expected to significantly enhance the living standards of the people by improving health, economic, and environmental conditions.

Andhra Pradesh has been a trailblazer in implementing several prestigious programs of the Government of India through BEE and EESL, such as the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA), Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), Agriculture Demand Side Management (AgDSM), and E-Mobility. These programs have been effectively executed in Andhra Pradesh, setting a benchmark for other states and major cities in reducing electricity costs and enabling consumers to lower their electricity bills, apart from reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the largest pilot projects under SLNP was implemented in Visakhapatnam, the world’s largest street lighting program. Despite the devastation caused by the Hud-Hud Super Cyclone in October 2014, which resulted in extensive infrastructural damage, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and EESL signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to provide LED streetlights in the city. EESL replaced about 95,000 defunct traditional streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs within three months, significantly reducing electricity bills. The project led to a 50% reduction in energy consumption, a drastic reduction in connected load from 7.9MW to 3.9MW, and annual cost savings of USD 4.7 million for the corporation. By 2019, around 29 lakh energy-efficient streetlights had been retrofitted across all municipalities and panchayats in Andhra Pradesh, making the state a role model for others in the SLNP.

The BRICS Global Conference, held in Visakhapatnam in 2016-17, recognized the city as the birthplace of the energy efficiency street light program under SLNP. Samaria mentioned his participation in key programs on DSM/Energy Efficiency at the Global Conference.

Expressing gratitude for the CIC’s appreciation of the efforts of BEE and various Southern states and UTs, the Media Advisor (Southern States/UTs) BEE, Ministry of Power, Government of India, stated that a comprehensive report on the successive stories of energy efficiency in Andhra Pradesh, with the support of SECM SDA under the Energy Department, will be prepared and submitted to BEE. This report will be disseminated to other regions, along with similar success stories from other Southern States such as Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

K Vijayanand, the Special Chief Secretary of the Energy Department of Andhra Pradesh, who recently reviewed EE Programs with officials from BEE and SECM, affirmed that the department is making every effort to meet BEE’s targets and provide the benefits of energy efficiency to consumers. Additionally, with financial support from BEE, SECM has established around 1,000 energy efficiency clubs in educational institutions, ensuring that students develop habits of energy efficiency, conservation, and environmental protection.

EESL Energy Interventions (Savings to the Nation & Andhra Pradesh)