India's AC Efficiency Improvements Could Save ₹10 Lakh Crore, Study Finds
India must improve its air conditioner efficiency to save over Rs 10 lakh crore, says study
Image: Deccan Herald
A study from UC Berkeley highlights that enhancing the energy efficiency of air conditioners in India could save the country over ₹10 lakh crore. This includes ₹8 lakh crore in energy infrastructure costs and ₹2.48 lakh crore for consumers, as ACs are projected to significantly increase peak electricity demand.
- 01Air conditioners are becoming the largest contributor to peak electricity demand in India, consuming 100 to 150 times more electricity than an LED bulb.
- 02India adds 1 to 1.5 crore AC units annually, with projections of 13-15 crore additional units over the next decade.
- 03Without intervention, ACs could account for over one-third of India's evening peak load, leading to potential power shortages as early as 2028.
- 04The study recommends upgrading Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to improve AC efficiency significantly.
- 05Consumers could save between ₹91,000 crore and ₹2.48 lakh crore by 2035 through these efficiency measures.
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A recent study by Nikit Abhyankar and colleagues from UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy emphasizes the urgent need for India to enhance the energy efficiency of room air conditioners (ACs). The study reveals that improving AC efficiency could save the country over ₹10 lakh crore, which includes ₹8 lakh crore in avoided energy infrastructure costs and ₹2.48 lakh crore in savings for consumers. ACs are identified as the primary driver of peak electricity demand, consuming significantly more energy than LED bulbs. With India's peak power demand reaching an all-time high of 270.82 GW, the study warns that without policy intervention, ACs could account for more than one-third of the projected evening peak load by 2030, potentially leading to power shortages by 2028. The researchers advocate for the implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to improve AC efficiency and recommend a long-term policy roadmap to ensure sustained improvements. By 2035, these measures could help avert peak demand increases of 10 GW and 47 GW, thus preventing supply shortfalls.
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Improving AC efficiency could significantly reduce energy costs and prevent power shortages, benefiting both consumers and the energy infrastructure.
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