On October 2, 2016, India became the 62^nd country to ratify the Paris Agreement and set a goal of generating 40 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030, as part of its plan. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is one of the government organizations at the forefront implementing clean energy initiatives in the country, especially energy efficiency initiatives. EESL is also actively involved in promoting electric vehicles (EV) and has been actively issuing tenders for EVs.

We reached out to Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director of EESL to find out more about the various initiatives his organization is actively involved in.

Can you tell our readers about EESL and some of the key initiatives you are undertaking in the cleantech space?

EESL is an energy service company (ESCO), established in 2009 as a joint venture of four public sector units (NTPC, PFC, REC, and POWERGRID) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, to facilitate the implementation of energy efficiency projects. EESL’s mandate is to implement various energy efficiency and conservation programs along with providing consultancy services in the field. It executes energy saving and efficiency improvement projects in multiple sectors including domestic, agriculture (efficient pumps), industrial, government departments, and municipal corporations. EESL has also ventured into advanced technological solutions including electric vehicles, smart meters, trigeneration, and solar PV power plants.

In less than a decade, EESL has become a leader in transforming markets for energy efficiency in India and abroad. The energy efficiency measures by the government, implemented by EESL, have led to energy savings of over 41 billion kWh. Cumulatively, these measures have reduced India’s greenhouse gas emissions by 32 million tonnes.

Are you still on track to procure 20,000 electric vehicles by March 2019?

The first 10,000 EVs have been fully allocated through March 2019.

The second tender of 10,000 EVs is still on hold as we are awaiting the final notification from the government on the standard norms for charging stations.

Which states have shown most interest to procure EVs for their departments and usage by government officials?

EESL has received an encouraging response from central government departments across states. We have signed 16 agreements with various departments including the Public Works Department (Maharashtra), Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (Telangana), Government of Andhra Pradesh, NITI Aayog, Ministry of Power, and 15th Finance Commission. We are also in advanced negotiations with other state governments.

Read the full interview in the upcoming edition of Mercom India Magazine, out soon at the REI conference.