The Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power marked its 25th Foundation Day on March 1, 2026 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, celebrating a quarter century of advancing energy conservation and sustainable growth in the country.
Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, attended as Chief Guest and unveiled the BEE at 25 commemorative logo, launched the BEE Star Label Mobile Application and formally inaugurated the Renewable Consumption Obligation portal. Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary Power, delivered the keynote address. Senior officials from central ministries, state governments, State Designated Agencies and partner institutions were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Manohar Lal described the Bureau of Energy Efficiency as a preventive institution for the power sector, noting that every unit of electricity conserved reduces the need for additional generation capacity and lowers emissions. He said adopting energy efficient practices protects the environment while ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Highlighting India’s progress on climate commitments, he said the country has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36 percent from 2005 levels and achieved 52 percent non fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target. He outlined key milestones under major BEE initiatives including the Renewable Consumption Obligation, the Perform Achieve and Trade scheme, the transition to the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms, the ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, the Standards and Labelling programme, the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code and transport sector efficiency measures.
Emphasising the path ahead, Manohar Lal underscored the central role of energy efficiency in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He drew attention to emerging energy intensive sectors such as data centres and Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need for sustainable and efficient energy management solutions.
In his keynote address, Pankaj Agarwal described energy efficiency as India’s first fuel and a critical instrument for balancing energy security, affordability and sustainability amid rising demand, expanding non fossil capacity and increasing digitalisation. He highlighted initiatives to improve cooling efficiency through the Standards and Labelling programme and the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code, industrial decarbonisation through the Carbon Market and ADEETIE scheme, establishment of energy efficiency hubs and enhanced fuel efficiency in the transport sector.
Earlier, Krushna Chandra Panigrahy, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, reflected on the Bureau’s journey over the past twenty four years and reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating adoption of energy efficiency measures across all sectors of the economy.
The BEE at 25 logo was formally released to mark the Bureau’s entry into its milestone year. The design incorporates the at 25 motif and visual elements symbolising energy, growth and environmental responsibility. It will serve as the official visual identity for the year long celebrations and outreach initiatives.
A curated video presentation showcased the Bureau’s evolution, major milestones, flagship programmes and institutional partnerships that have strengthened India’s energy efficiency ecosystem.
The Renewable Consumption Obligation portal was unveiled as a step towards enhancing monitoring, facilitating compliance and improving coordination among stakeholders. The portal is designed to improve transparency, streamline reporting and support data driven decision making within the implementation framework of energy efficiency programmes.
The BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed in collaboration with CLASP, was also launched. The app enables consumers to scan QR codes on star labelled appliances to access authentic information on energy performance, model specifications and compliance status. The initiative aims to enhance consumer awareness, strengthen transparency at the point of sale and promote adoption of energy efficient appliances nationwide.
The celebration included a fireside interaction with former Directors General of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, moderated by Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director of the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy. Retired officials of State Designated Agencies were felicitated for their contributions to advancing energy conservation at the state level.
The 25th Foundation Day reaffirmed the Bureau’s continued resolve to position energy efficiency as a cornerstone of sustainable development, national energy security and environmental stewardship in line with the broader goal of building a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
