New Delhi: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has directed electronic companies to manufacture air conditioners (ACs) and refrigerators that are energy-efficient, as these appliances lead to higher electricity consumption, especially during dry periods. BEE emphasizes that the energy consumption of ACs and refrigerators sold in India should match international standards, similar to China and Singapore.
According to the proposals by BEE, ACs currently sold with a 5-star rating will only have a 1-star rating under the new standards. This will represent a significant shift from the previous 2006 standards.
However, companies claim that a change in star ratings will require an investment of around 600 crore rupees in research and development. They argue that the incentives proposed by the government under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme are insufficient to cover the necessary investments for implementing the new regulations. A study conducted in 2023-24 indicated that India’s air conditioners are 46% more energy-efficient than before, which may help meet the global standards set by the Ministry of Power. BEE aims to implement these new regulations by 2027. To meet these goals, manufacturers are already in discussions since January with the government.
In Singapore, the energy efficiency standards for electronic appliances are already set at a high level. For Indian products, BEE aims to improve the energy efficiency of sold products by 52%.
Companies are encouraged to motivate consumers to buy energy-efficient products. This will help in managing the peak demand during the summer months when electricity consumption is expected to reach a peak of 270 gigawatts in June, higher than the 250 megawatts observed last year.
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