The country has reduced the energy intensity of its economy by 20% compared to 2005 levels by undertaking energy-efficiency initiatives, said R K Singh, the Union Minister of State with Independent Charge for Power and New & Renewable Energy and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship as he released a report, ‘Impact of Energy Efficiency Measures for the Year 2018-19’.

The implementation of various energy-efficiency schemes has led to total electricity savings to the tune of 113.16 billion units in 2018-19, which is 9.39% of the net electricity consumption. The energy savings (electrical + thermal), achieved in the energy-consuming sectors (Demand-side sectors) is to the tune of 16.54 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent), which is 2.84% of the net total energy consumption (approximately 581.60 Mtoe) in 2018-19, the report finds.

According to the report, the total energy savings achieved in 2018-19 is 23.73 Mtoe, which is 2.69% of the total primary energy supply (estimated to be 879.23 Mtoe in India) during 2018-19. This includes both Supply-side and Demand-side sectors of the economy. Overall, the study has estimated that various energy-efficiency measures have translated into savings worth Rs 89,122 crores (approximately) against last year’s (2017-18) savings of Rs 53,627 crore. These efforts have also contributed to reducing 151.74 Million Tonnes of CO2 emissions, whereas last year this number was 108 MTCO2.

“We have pledged in COP-21 that we will bring down energy intensity of an economy by 33 to 35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030,” the union minister said while unveiling the e-book.