Press Release
The first edition of the International Symposium to Promote Innovation & Research in Energy Efficiency (INSPIRE 2017) was kicked off in Jaipur today. Mr. Ashok Jain, I.A.S., Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan inaugurated the five-day symposium organized by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in partnership with The World Bank, and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
INSPIRE 2017 intends to create a platform for deliberations and sharing of best practices around energy efficiency policy solutions, high-impact research, innovative financing and implementation that are driving large scale market transformations in India and across the globe. The event has brought together over 350 participants from 13 countries across North America, Asia, Europe and Middle East.
During the event, Mr. Ashok Jain, I.A.S., Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan said, “Focused initiatives and commitments in green energy is evident in our times. Energy efficiency will be the key in mitigation of climate challenge. India’s unified action plan for climate change outlines many steps which simultaneously advance India’s development and climate change-related objectives. Rajasthan has large industries in cement and textile sectors. Under the PAT scheme, the designated industrial consumers were given targets, of which 58, in the first cycle, overachieved these targets. This demonstrates the due significance the state of Rajasthan gives to energy efficiency.”
Shri Abhay Bakre, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, said, “INSPIRE is very crucial at this juncture. This 5-day conference will cover all the questions in the field of energy efficiency, ideate and discuss on the topic for solutions. I must compliment Govt of Rajasthan for having conducted this event in the city and taking this purpose forward on international level in partnering with EESL.”
The highlight of the symposium is the high-level deliberations driven by policy makers and experts from Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), The World Bank Group, The Energy Institute (TERI), International Energy Agency (IEA), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), USA and representatives of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) – a high-level global forum to promote policies and programs that advance clean energy technology. Several global organizations like the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, International Finance Corporation, The World Bank, International Energy Agency, International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, Clean Energy Ministerial, Copenhagen Center on Energy Efficiency, GIZ, will also share their perspectives at INSPIRE.
Dr. John Roome, Senior Director, The World Bank Group while expressing concern on mitigating climate change said, “India is the third largest energy consumer in the world. In India, the World Bank is proud to be partnering with EESL on a major $300 million programme, which is a long term low cost loan. This builds on our ongoing engagements with EESL and other agencies. The next five years will be critical for if we want a world that we would like our children to live in. And bold action on Energy Efficiency will be a key part of that action.”
Shri Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL said, “For us energy efficiency has proved to be an important activity for providing world class standard of living to citizens. With this the company has also grown in the last few years. We would like to thank the World Bank Group, Alliance for Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) and all other participants. INSPIRE 2017 intends to create a platform for deliberations and sharing of best practices around energy efficiency policy solutions, high-impact research, innovative financing and implementation that are driving large scale market transformations in India and across the globe.”
During the inaugural session, a mobile app for EESL’s various programmes was launched. This app will allow consumers to connect with the organisation for its various programmes, lodge complaints and track real time complaint status. Further, citizens can now access the real-time status of Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) dashboard at state, district and Urban Local Body (ULB) levels across the country.
Through an innovative market-led approach towards energy efficiency, India has charted its progress towards being a low-carbon economy. EESL has contributed to this transformation journey through implementation of large scale zero subsidy initiatives like Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA), Street lighting National Programme, Electric vehicles, Smart Meter programme, Solar Rooftop projects etc. Through this International Conference, EESL aims to bring together global experts to discuss and introduce new approaches & technologies that can reap huge benefits to the people, stakeholders and the environment.
About INSPIRE:
INSPIRE 2017 (International Symposium to Promote Innovation & Research in Energy Efficiency) is an International Conference organized by Energy Efficiency Services Limited. The flagship event brings together various stakeholders such as policy makers, innovators, financiers, influencers to showcase best practices in the sector. It provides a platform for energy efficiency community to discuss energy efficiency policies, market transformation strategies, emerging technologies, delivery and business-model driven transformations. The event is further designed to provide global and national thought-leaders and implementers to expand perspectives on energy efficiency and spur ideas and solutions that will help leverage the full potential of energy efficiency and bring its multiple co-benefits to the fore.
About EESL:
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the administration of Ministry of Power, Government of India, is working towards mainstreaming energy efficiency and is implementing the world’s largest energy efficiency portfolio in the country. Driven by the mission of Enabling More – more efficiency, more innovation, EESL aims to creating market access for efficient and future ready transformative solutions that create a win-win situation for every stakeholder. By 2020, EESL seeks to be a $1.5 billion-dollar (Rs 10,000 crore) company putting together all the programmes of EESL.
Thus far, EESL has distributed over 27 crore LED Calex bulbs and retrofitted 40 lakh smart LED streetlights across India through self-sustaining commercial models. It has pioneered innovative business approaches to successfully roll-out large-scale programs that allow for incentive alignment across the value chain and rapidly drive transformative impact. EESL aims to leverage this implementation experience and exploit new opportunities in overseas market for diversification of its portfolio. As on date, EESL has begun its operations in UK, South Asia and South-East Asia.