Lok Sabha Question No. 645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-22
Subject: Procurement Programme by EESL
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2021

## PROCUREMENT PROGRAMME BY EESL

645.   SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Energy  Efficiency  Services  Limited  (EESL)  has  started  a  bulk procurement programme to increase uptake of energy efficient  air  conditioners using government funds and if so, the details thereof alongwith the key features of the plan, its successes and failures;
- (b) whether such a bulk procurement plan is to be repeated in future and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) began standards and labelling programme for air conditioners and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the BEE periodically revises its standards by mandating higher level of energy efficiency from manufacturers who shift cost burden on buyers of these appliances and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  details  of  successes  and  failures  of  the  standards  and  labelling programme; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to make energy efficient air conditioners GST exempt to encourage uptake and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

- (a) : Yes, Sir. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL),  a joint venture company  of  Public  Sector  Undertakings  (PSUs)  under  the  Ministry  of  Power, Government of India, had done bulk procurement of Super-Efficient Air-Conditioners (SEACs) in two phases in May 2017 and June, 2019.  However, no Government fund was utilized for this procurement. So far about 19,500 SEACs have been deployed in  Government/Public  Sector  Undertakings  buildings  and  domestic  consumers. Consumers  have  availed  SEACs  (20%  more  efficient  than  5  star  ACs)  at  an affordable  cost.  It  may  be  noted  that  with  the  specification  of  the  SEAC, Government  eMarketplace  (GeM)  has  launched  a  new  category  of  'Green  air conditioner' to promote energy efficient and environment friendly air conditione rs.

(b) : The  procurement  plan  of  EESL  is  dependent  upon  its  business requirements.

(c) : Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under Ministry of Power  (MoP)  launched  the  Standards  and  Labelling  program  for  Room  Air Conditioners in the year 2006 initially under Voluntary regime and it was changed over to mandatory regime in the year 2009. Subsequently during the years 2015 and 2018,  BEE  covered  other  categories  of  Air  conditioners  i.e.  (Cassette,  Floor Standing,  Tower,  Ceiling,  Corner  AC)  and  Variable  speed  Air  Conditioners, respectively under mandatory regime. During the year 2020, BEE covered the star rating  program  for  Light  Commercial  Air  Conditioners  (LCAC)  under  voluntary regime.

(d) : Yes, Sir. BEE periodically reviews the energy consumption standards /  performance  benchmarks  for  appliances/equipment.  Based  on  the  market scenario and  the technology  available,  BEE  scales  up  these  performance benchmarks  with  an  intent  of  bringing  more  energy  efficient  appliances  in  the market and by removing less energy efficient/ inefficient appliances.

(e) : Standards & Labelling program is a flagship initiative of MoP for the appliances sector. The star rating program has changed the mind set of end users/ consumers thereby helping them in making an informed choice by comparing the appliances based on their energy performance.  Due to increased awareness among consumers towards BEE star label appliances, the list of appliances being covered under the program is increasing gradually. As on June, 2021, 28 appliances have been  covered  under  the  ambit  of  labelling  program,  out  of  which  10  are  under mandatory  regime  and  18  are  under  voluntary  regime.  There  are  589  models registered from 13 vendors in June, 2021.

(f) : No, Sir.

**************