- Q) Energy security is significant in achieving in sustainable and inclusive growth. In this context, discuss the role of energy efficiency in the energy security and the various measures taken by the government to enhance the energy efficiency?
Economy for any country is considered as “Engine of Growth” and Energy acts as fuel to that Engine. This seems to be true for a country like India which is aiming to double its GDP i.e., to USD 5 trillion by 2025. For this India needs to boost its growth further in Agriculture, Manufacturing and Service sectors. Energy security acts as prerequisite in this context.
Energy security, according to International Energy Agency (IEA), is an uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price. On the other hand, energy efficiency involves efficient utilisation of energy resources. Energy efficiency is the practice of reducing the energy requirements while achieving the required energy output.
Role of Energy Efficiency in Energy security:
- Reduces the wastage of Energy
- Makes energy available to all
- Improves affordability of the energy.
- Reduces global warming effect in the long-term.
Various measures taken by the government to
enhance energy efficiency:-
On Consumption Side: Government has started programmes like Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) labelling and star rating schemes. However, there is a need for creation of more awareness to citizens to use energy efficient electronic goods like LED bulbs, and very efficient ACs. Effective implementation of Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC) for new commercial buildings.
Moving to electrical vehicles and relying more on public transportation system like Metro connection and electric buses like in Bengaluru.
On Supply side: Energy Security also implies Optimum production and Supply of energy. On the production side, there is a need to shift to super critical and Ultra Super Critical power plants and roof top solar power plants.
On Transmission side: In 2014, the Southern grid is connected with National grid. Now time has come to shift to automatic Smart grids to reduce the grid losses.
Energy efficiency and Energy security should go hand-in-hand in achieving Sustainable and inclusive development. Strengthening market for energy efficiency through implementation of innovative business models in this sector is need of the hour.