The first edition of the International Symposium to Promote Innovation & Research in Energy Efficiency(INSPIRE 2017) was kicked off in Jaipur today. 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, 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.”
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 thehigh-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.”
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 projectsetc. 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.
