India 2018

Energy 183
UDAY—Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana
UDAY Scheme was launched in 2015 for a sustainable solution to the
operational and financial inefficiencies of DISCOMs across the country, through
targeted interventions in the form of lower interest costs, reduction of cost of
power, increased revenues and improved operational efficiencies.
UDAY is voluntary scheme for participation and 26 states and 1 union
territory have joined the scheme. The scheme is being monitored by an interministerial
committee and a state level committee. A portal (www.uday.gov.in)
has been developed for ease of data entry by states/DISCOMs. This portal
provides basic analytics and progress of performance of various states/
DISCOMs in the public domain as a measure of transparency.
Energy Efficiency
Government of India has undertaken a two pronged approach to cater to the
increasing energy demand of the country while ensuring minimum increase
in CO 2
emissions. On one hand, at the generation side, efforts are being made
to move towards cleaner technologies, and on the demand side, thrust is given
towards efficient use of energy by taking various initiatives under Energy
Conservation Act, 2001.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) established under Energy Conservation
Act, 2001 launched number of programmes such as mandating standards and
labels for energy consuming equipment and appliances, prescribing an energy
conservation building code for commercial buildings, demand side
management programmes for agricultural pumpsets, municipalities among
others, energy consumption norms for energy intensive industries, promotion
of energy efficiency in small and medium enterprises, fiscal instruments for
promoting energy efficiency and outreach activities. State Designated Agencies
had been established in 35 states/UTs to promote energy efficiency at the state
level.
Petroleum and Natural Gas
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is concerned with exploration and
production of oil and natural gas (including import of liquefied natural gas),
refining, distribution and marketing, import, export and conservation of
petroleum products.
Energy is a key driver of economic growth. Efficient, reliable and affordable
energy is essential for the sustainable development and inclusive growth of the
overall economy. Due to rapid economic expansion, India has become world's
fastest growing energy market. India surpassed Russia to become the 3 rd largest
energy consumer in the world after China and USA during 2015. Oil and gas
accounted for around 35 per cent share in India's energy consumption. In fact,
India surpassed Japan to become 3 rd largest oil consumer in the world after US
and China during 2015.