By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, NOV 03, 2023: ENERGY Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Power, launched its groundbreaking National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) yesterday, unveiled by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh, at an event held in New Delhi. These initiatives are aimed at revolutionizing cooking practices in India and emphasizing on the importance and urgency of energy efficient fans. As part of these programmes, EESL will distribute 1 crore efficient BLDC fans and 20 Lakh energy-efficient induction cook stoves nationwide.

The National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) introduces induction-based cook-stoves, offering a cost advantage of 25-30% over traditional cooking methods, promising both energy savings and cost-effective cooking solutions. By deploying 20 Lakh Induction cook-stoves across India, EESL seeks to reduce the environmental impact of cooking methods, ensuring cleaner air and improved health for citizens. EESL has also partnered with Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) for the large-scale deployment of induction cooktops. The deployment is expected to accelerate the acceptance and large-scale adoption of modern electric cooking devices in Indian kitchens.

The Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP) focuses on deploying energy-efficient BLDC fans, with the goal of distributing 1 crore ceiling fans. These initiatives not only reduce energy consumption and environmental impact, but also enhances consumer comfort while lowering electricity bills, creating a win-win situation for all. The program for deploying one crore ceiling fans was initiated during the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group in Goa in July 2023. In continuation of this, EESL is inviting the first bid of 20 lakh fans, under a programme titled Energy Efficient Fans Programme (EEFP).

"Electric Cooking is one way to reduce dependence on imported sources for energy"

Addressing the gathering comprising the proud officials of EESL and others, the Union Power & NRE Minister underlined the strategic imperative due to which a shift towards electric cooking is necessary. "We have cooking based on imported Liquified Natural Gas. We can afford it financially, but in strategic terms, it is not advisable to depend on other countries for energy needs. This is one reason we need to shift from imported sources of energy to indigenous forms; and one way to do that is to shift our cooking to electricity."

"Absolutely no difference between food cooked using e-cooking and gas stoves"

The Minister stressed that there is no difference in food cooked on flame versus that cooked using induction cookers. "We need to propagate this; all organizations under Ministry of Power and Ministry of New & Renewable Energy will help in propagating this, all organizations will get together to bring to every household the advantages of shifting to electric cooking, in terms of price and availability."

"E-Cooking will reduce cooking costs of poor families"

Singh explained how a shift to electric cooking will help the ordinary citizen. "Even though we subsidize our gas cylinders, many poor families are not able to afford buying gas cylinders. So, this brings us back to cooking based on fossil fuels. Electric cooking, I believe, is the answer to this problem; especially for poor consumers, if they switch over to electric cooking, it will reduce their cooking costs, after accounting for cost of electricity as well."

"Energy inefficient fans will be rapidly phased out"

The Minister also sent a message to all manufacturers that inefficient fans will be rapidly phased out. "The fans brought out by EESL are Five-Star. We are going to phase out inefficient fans at a rapid pace. All manufacturers in both organized and unorganized sectors may take note. We want the people of India to get the best. We want to be and will continue to be a world leader."

"EESL and BEE have played a stellar role in India's energy transition journey"

The Minister commended EESL and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), both organizations under the Ministry of Power, for making a stellar contribution to India emerging as a world leader in energy transition. Singh recalled that the roadmap for energy transition adopted by the government has been to electrify the economy with an aim to shift it from other forms of energy to electricity and then to green the electricity. "About 44% of our capacity is already non-fossil-fuel sources, about 25% in energy terms. By 2030, around 65% of our capacity will be from non-fossil-fuel sources, and in energy terms, it will be around 40% - 45%. And we have been able to reach where we are today, largely due to the efforts of BEE and EESL. Both have come out with schemes which are world-leaders." EESL has been responsible for shifting our lighting to LEDs, despite many hurdles, notwithstanding the shortfall in financial resources for local bodies, the Minister added.

Complimenting and congratulating EESL for the success with LED programme, the Minister said: "You need to do with the cooking stove what you did with the LED."

"Energy Efficient Fans Programme will trigger huge replacement demand"

Addressing the gathering, Union Power Secretary, Pankaj Agarwal said that the two programmes launched today are outstanding and will play a catalytic role. He said that the Energy Efficient Fans Programme will lead to a huge replacement demand. "The fans market in the country is about Rs. 10,500 crores, comprising about 200 players and around 14 branded fans. A lot of the demand which is coming is not only new demand but replacement demand as well. The Star labelling programme is going to trigger a huge replacement demand. I hope that Indian manufacturers are geared up with the products. The Demand aggregation being provided by EESL will bring economies of scale and also create huge outreach."

Agarwal added that low-hanging fruits for electrification of economy are electrification of mobility and of cooking. "Electric induction-cooking market is about 10 million units a year; We have huge ambitions for energy transition. EESL initiative will help expand access, bring prices down and provide benefits to citizens at large," Agarwal said.