Parliament passes Energy Conservation (Amendment) bill to promote non-fossil energy sources
New Delhi: Parliament has passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 with Rajya Sabha approving it yesterday. Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill. The Bill seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It promotes energy efficiency and conservation.
The Bill empowers the Centre to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. The legislation also stipulates that designated consumers may be required to meet a proportion of their energy needs from non-fossil sources. The Energy Conservation Code for buildings will apply to office and residential buildings with a connected load of 100 kilowatt or above.
Replying to a debate on the Bill in the House, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy RK Singh said that it is a matter of pride for all the citizens, the way India has moved on energy transition and enhanced the renewable energy capacity. He said, the Energy Ministers of various countries who have visited India are impressed with the progress in renewable the energy sector.
He said, no developed country has made as much progress as India in energy transition and climate action. Mr. Singh informed the House that during 2015 at COP-21, as part of its Nationally determined contributions, NDCs, India had committed to achieving 40 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil energy sources by 2030. He said, the country has achieved this target in November 2021, nine years ahead of the set target.
