Getting around India's energy efficiency conundrum

The road towards energy efficiency has not been easy due to lack of funds, resulting in the government rolling out a number of policies that include a market-based trading mechanism for moving towards cleaner cooking fuels. India’s energy efficiency market is estimated at $23 billion (around Rs 1.5 trillion) with a vast potential to grow. Energy efficiency needs to be at the centre stage of policy planning, says Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of TERI. Experts believe there is a growing market around India's energy efficiency drive. A competitive power market is evolving and there is increased focus on access, efficiency, quality, and affordability of supply and on decarbonizing the sector, according to the TERI report titled "Transitions in Indian Electricity Sector".