State Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Kerala

November 2, 2023

The draft State Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Kerala holds promising prospects for significant energy savings by 2030. The plan, developed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with support from the Energy Management Centre, Kerala, in collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), highlights key areas where the state can make substantial progress in energy conservation.

Electric Vehicles for a Greener Future

One of the focal points of the plan is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). According to the draft, increasing the number of electric vehicles on Kerala’s roads can lead to substantial energy savings. Under a ‘moderate scenario,’ Kerala could save 0.56 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) by 2030, while an ‘ambitious scenario’ could yield savings of 0.84 MTOE. These transitions would also result in a reduction of 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2) and 2.6 MtCO2, respectively, in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Achieving these targets would involve expanding the share of electric vehicles in the state’s total ‘vehicle stock’ to nearly 10 lakh under the moderate scenario and 17 lakh under the ambitious scenario. Additionally, the plan envisions the establishment of 56,000 charging stations and battery-swapping infrastructure to support the growing EV ecosystem. A noteworthy proposal within the plan suggests that powering EV charging stations with solar energy could meet the increased demand without straining the existing power grid.

Four Key Sectors for Energy Savings

The draft plan identifies four primary sectors critical to achieving Kerala’s energy savings objectives:

Transport: Promoting the adoption of electric vehicles.
Industry: Implementing an Identify, Implement, and Verify (IIV) scheme to enhance energy efficiency in high-tension (HT) and extra-high tension (EHT) industries.
Domestic and Commercial Buildings: Encouraging the construction of green buildings and promoting energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and building materials.
Agriculture and Fisheries: Transitioning to solar power pumps, replacing inefficient pumps with BEE star-rated pumps with smart control panels, and optimizing energy efficiency across all value chains in fisheries.

Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency

The draft emphasizes that an increased penetration of green buildings by 2030 could save Kerala 0.43 MTOE annually in energy savings and reduce GHG emissions by 1.3 MtCO2. It underscores the role of energy-efficient buildings in reducing energy consumption and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels.

For households, the BEE’s standard and labeling program, based on energy efficiency levels, can contribute significantly to reducing energy consumption by promoting energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and building materials.

Fostering Energy Efficiency for a Sustainable Future

The draft State Energy Efficiency Action Plan has been submitted to the State government and is expected to be presented to the Union government soon. It outlines a comprehensive strategy for Kerala to enhance its energy efficiency and reduce its environmental impact, while also driving economic growth and sustainability.

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