Que: EESL celebrated its 15th Raising Day. Looking back, what have been the most significant achievements of the organisation over the years?

Ans: Fifteen years of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) have been glorious, and each and every employee is very proud of what we have accomplished.

Let me start by saying that we have changed the way India is lit. If you look at the LED revolution, under the guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the programme has taken great strides and transformed the way every home is illuminated today. I feel very proud when I see homes during Diwali, glowing as if there are marriage celebrations everywhere.

This transformation has been achieved through EESL’s flagship programme, UJALA. Regarding streetlights, earlier people seldom complained even if there was no lighting. However, with EESL's intervention, proper lighting at night has become a necessity. Now, if even a single streetlight is not functioning, we receive complaints immediately.

We have changed habits—how people live at night, how they illuminate their surroundings. Additionally, we ventured into the electric mobility market, which has now gained significant momentum. Today, everyone is talking about electric vehicles and battery-based vehicle systems.

We have now entered the electric bus segment, bringing about a transformation. Moreover, we are working on smart metering. Over the past 15 years, EESL has introduced a plethora of energy-efficient and clean energy initiatives.

I could go on endlessly about our various programmes. We have launched super-efficient air conditioners that will revolutionise the market. The LED bulb has further evolved from a 9-watt to a 6-watt bulb while maintaining the same brightness.

If you consider what EESL has achieved, we have provided consumers with savings of more than 94 percent. Previously, people used 100-watt incandescent bulbs in their homes. Today, they can get more light from a 6-watt bulb, leading to significant reductions in electricity bills.

Another major initiative we launched four years ago was the BLDC fan programme. We have already sold more than one lakh fans in India. These fans consume 50 percent less energy compared to traditional fans still commonly used in Indian homes.
Our efforts continue. We introduced a clean cooking programme two years ago, and we are also working in the heat pump segment.

Additionally, we are striving to revolutionise energy consumption in BPL housing by partnering with various states and state governments. In December last year, we launched our latest programme, UrjaVeer. This initiative aims to enhance awareness about energy efficiency. Anyone with valid KYC documentation can become a member and earn commissions, much like an LIC agent, without any investment.

All they need to do is obtain a QR code, which provides a unique identity. If they help us sell our products, such as bulbs, tube lights, and ACs, they receive a commission. For example, for every AC sold, the commission starts at INR 1,500. This initiative particularly benefits electricians, self-help group (SHG) women, and other individuals in need of economic empowerment, allowing them to increase their income by 10–15 percent without any investment, thus supporting India's circular economy.

Que: UrjaVeer was launched in Andhra Pradesh in December 2024. What was the mission behind this, and are there plans to expand it to other states?

Ans: When we recently launched this programme without extensive mass media promotion, we saw the highest enrolments from Andhra Pradesh. The decision to launch there was influenced by the support of Honourable Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is deeply passionate about energy efficiency and digital technology.

UrjaVeer is centred around digital technology. A participant simply directs customers to the EESL e-commerce platform, where purchases are made, and the UrjaVeer receives commissions automatically. Payments are processed between the 1st and 10th of every month.

As we all know, Chandrababu Naidu is a highly tech-savvy leader. He embraced this programme, which was launched by Honourable Minister Manohar Lal, Minister of Power, alongside Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. Now, we are working towards taking this initiative nationwide.

Que: How do you view the role of energy efficiency in helping India achieve its net-zero target by 2070?

Ans: Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in meeting India's climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the Paris Agreement. Our Honourable Prime Minister has set a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Renewable energy, such as solar and hydro, has inherent inefficiencies. For example, when water falls on a turbine or when sunlight is absorbed by solar panels, energy conversion rates are often below 50 percent. This means a significant portion of the energy from natural resources is lost.

While renewable energy itself may seem free, the infrastructure required to harness it is costly. This is where energy efficiency becomes critical. By optimising energy consumption, we can maximise the benefits of the power being produced. If we could achieve 100 percent absorption of solar energy, we would live in a utopian world. Until then, energy efficiency remains vital.

Additionally, reducing fossil fuel consumption is essential. Every initiative by EESL is directed towards enhancing energy efficiency, which in turn helps India meet its climate goals and combat climate change.

EESL is one of the few organisations that focus on saving energy rather than consuming and burning it.

Que: How do advancements like smart grids and metering technologies influence the energy efficiency landscape in India? What role is EESL playing in these innovations?

Ans: The concept of smart grids and smart metering has revolutionised energy efficiency. A few years ago, EESL launched smart meters, which have been highly successful. Through our subsidiary, IntelliSmart, we have installed approximately five million smart meters to date.

Energy efficiency must be evaluated not just in terms of energy saved but also in overall economic terms. Smart meters, for instance, have digitised billing, reducing the need for paper invoices and printing, thus benefiting industries related to paper and ink production.

Previously, human resources were required to manually read meters and generate bills, a process that was time-consuming and inefficient. Now, with smart metering, billing is automated, reducing the turnaround time from 45 days to less than an hour.

Efficiency is being created at multiple levels through these innovations, and this is precisely the smart transformation we aim to achieve.

Que: How do you think events like India Energy Week (IEW) are shaping India's energy future?

Ans: India Energy Week, now in its third edition, is one of the most exciting initiatives in the country. It serves as a great platform for young people, as they are naturally drawn to what is perceived as ‘cool’ and innovative.

This event showcases how digital India is transforming the energy sector. It provides an opportunity to present India's energy progress on a global stage, making ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ a focal point.

Over the past three years at IEW, we have had the privilege of hosting guests from Tanzania, Nepal, Russia, Norway, and numerous other countries. The demand for energy efficiency solutions is growing worldwide, and India has developed one of the most economical distribution models. As a result, we are becoming a global example of energy efficiency and sustainability.