Clean Energy Forum launched to accelerate Indo-UK techno, strategic activities

Delivering the address at the "Energy Efficiency Technology and Financing Conference" organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and supported by the British High Commission, Baroness Verma, Britain's Energy and Climate Change Minister said

Highlighting some of the key developments in the UK in the energy efficiency area, she said, "A range of policy instruments have been put in place in the UK to help industry and consumers build on energy efficiency measures which have yielded results. The green sector has witnessed a growth in jobs and businesses. In addition, the industrial sector which accounts for a quarter of the emissions of the country has witnessed a decline in energy intensity by 54 per cent.The prime goal is to try and stop the wastage of energy."

Giving his perspective, Ashok Lavasa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, said: "Energy efficiency technologies and financing these technologies is an important area for the Indian Government given the larger goals that are being pursued. The government's goal of "Power for All" hinges on the three pillars of adequacy, accessibility and affordability. On the adequacy front, to encourage the adoption of efficient technologies in generation, 40-50 per cent of the capacity additions will be based on the more efficient super critical technology. On the accessibility front, several programms have been launched for rural electrification and the effort is to bring in more efficient technologies as we extend our network. However, equally important is the aspect of energy conservation which is the other side of energy efficiency".

Delivering the keynote address and reiterating the importance of energy efficiency, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency said, "Energy Efficiency is an important issue on the corporate and government agenda. The barriers to financing of energy efficiency technologoes can and should to a large extent be removed. It is important that enabling financing mechanisms help in nudging money to flow into energy efficiency investments and in bringing these investments at par with other economic investments.This Energy Efficiency Technology Retail Financing Model that has been designed by CII in partnership with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a gamechanger and has the potential to transform the energy efficient retail market in the Country."

Emphasising on the importance of bankable financing models, Dr Sudhir Kapur, Member, CII National Committee on Power and Managing Director and CEO, Countrystrategy Business Consultants, said, "Huge upfront costs are a key bottleneck in the adoption of energy efficient technologies in the country. However, the good news is that we are moving away from subsidies to bankability which is critical for scaling up these initiatives and enabling growth.