New Delhi, 01 March (H.S.): India's premier energy efficiency body, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), marked its 25th Foundation Day with fanfare at the India Habitat Centre here on Sunday, unveiling key initiatives to bolster sustainable energy practices.

Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, inaugurated the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) portal alongside the BEE@25 logo and the BEE Star Label mobile app. Recalling the adage prevention is better than cure, the minister described BEE as a proactive force in the power sector, where each unit of saved electricity directly cuts the need for new generation capacity and reduces emissions.

Adopting energy-efficient practices not only safeguards the environment but also secures a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations ahead, he emphasized, while praising BEE's pivotal role in advancing national efficiency drives.

India has slashed emission intensity per unit of GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity ahead of its 2030 targets, the minister noted. He outlined BEE's landmark achievements across flagship programs, including the RCO for renewable uptake, Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme transitioning to Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling (S&L), Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), and transport sector measures.

Power Secretary Pankaj Agrawal highlighted India's evolving energy landscape—marked by surging demand, non-fossil capacity expansion, and digitalization—positioning energy efficiency as the nation's first fuel for balancing security, affordability, and sustainability.

The celebrations reaffirmed BEE's commitment to sustainable development, energy security, and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a developed and self-reliant India. Senior officials from central ministries, state governments, State Designated Agencies (SDAs), and partner institutions attended the event.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar