The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of public sector units under the Ministry of Power, says it has successfully installed one million smart meters across India under the Smart Meter National Program (SMNP).

Union Power Minister, R.K. Singh, commented on the positive development saying, “The scale and pace of our energy efficiency initiatives have been unprecedented, with an immense impact that has been acknowledged globally, and the world is keen to replicate. I want to congratulate EESL for their relentless efforts towards achieving the country’s energy efficiency goals and completing an exceptional decade of success. I look forward to many more years of EESL’s endeavors in catalyzing innovative solutions for an energy future that is sustainable, accessible, and reliable.”

The minister also informed that electric vehicles deployed by EESL have already completed 20 million cumulative kilometers.

Speaking to Mercom, an official from EESL said, “We are on a mission mode in implementing the SMNP. Under this programme, we aim to deploy 250 million smart meters across the country over the next few years. We have been working on various projects to provide reliable solar power supply to the nation. We have a vision to provide universal access to sustainable energy solutions to enable a low carbon future, with significant economic and social impact.”

According to EESL, since 2009, it has cumulatively led to energy savings of over 58 kWh and a reduction of 46 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe.

Speaking at the event, Singh also launched the dashboards for the Smart Meter National Program, National Electricity Mobility Program, and a solar initiative to monitor the progress of these programs in real-time. The minister also launched an integrated mobile application- EK EESL- where anyone can access the dashboards of all the programs being implemented by EESL.

EESL has led the way in implementing the Government of India’s zero-subsidy Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program by distributing over 361.6 million LED bulbs and Street Lighting National Programme by retrofitting over 10.6 million streetlights with LEDs. UJALA was set up to promote efficient use of energy at the residential level and enhance consumer awareness so they can choose efficient equipment and reduce energy bills, thereby helping to conserve the environment.

In addition to this, under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), EESL has completed projects in 10,344 buildings, including railway stations and airports.

“Till date, decentralized solar power projects of approximately 100 MW cumulative capacity have been commissioned. EESL intends to take up nearly 800 MW of decentralized solar power projects in Maharashtra and is also in discussion with Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh DISCOMs for setting up of similar projects. EESL plans to set up 1,500 MW of decentralized solar power projects across the country by the end of 2020-21,” the official added.

In December last year, EESL had invited bids for off-grid solar water pump systems across India under the KUSUM program that is targeted towards promoting solar in agriculture.

Earlier, to facilitate the adoption of e-mobility in the national capital, EESL signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to establish the infrastructure for electric vehicles in the SDMC area for ten years.

Image credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kiona Miller / Public domain