President felicitates winners of National Energy Conservation Awards 2025, underscores urgency of energy efficiency

New Delhi, December 15: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday conferred the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025, emphasising that energy conservation is “not an option but a necessity” as India pursues sustainable growth amid rising energy demand.

The awards ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan to mark National Energy Conservation Day 2025. The President also presented awards to winners of the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation. The event was organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the ministry of power.

Addressing the gathering, the President said energy conservation is the most reliable and environment-friendly source of energy, noting that saving energy is equivalent to producing energy without placing additional pressure on natural resources. She underlined that India’s growing energy needs—driven by urbanisation, industrial expansion and improved living standards—must be met in a responsible and sustainable manner Energy Conservation.

Power minister Manohar Lal said India has positioned itself at the forefront of the global clean energy transition and aligned its energy plans with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius. He said India has achieved a historic milestone by reaching 50% of its installed power capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of the target set under its nationally determined contributions.

The minister highlighted the role of BEE initiatives such as the Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme, standards and labelling programme, and market transformation mechanisms in driving energy efficiency across sectors. He noted that India’s emissions have grown at a much slower pace than GDP, demonstrating a decoupling of economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister of state for power Shripad Yesso Naik said the awards have helped build a strong culture of recognising excellence in energy conservation and stressed that behaviour change—alongside technology—plays a critical role in reducing energy consumption. He also noted growing participation of youth in the energy conservation movement.

Secretary, ministry of power Pankaj Agarwal said energy efficiency and conservation are central to India’s development model and key to achieving the goals of energy security, green growth and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Director general of BEE Dhiraj Kumar Srivastava announced the introduction of a new award category for social media influencers and digital content creators, recognising their role in promoting public awareness on energy efficiency.

A total of 558 applications were received for the National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 across sectors including industry, buildings, transport, appliances, innovation and professional categories. The awards included first and second prizes, certificates of merit and innovation awards. More than 80 lakh students participated nationwide in the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation across school, state and national levels.