Lucknow – A major milestone in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability among industrial and commercial consumers was achieved today at a highly influential event held at The Hotel UTOPIAN LUXE in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. The workshop, organized by the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) in partnership with the Lucknow Management Association (LMA) and Laghu Udyog Bharti, with the support from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and the Bank of Baroda.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, MSMEs, large electricity consumers, industry experts, and representatives from the financial and energy sectors, to explore the pivotal role of Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) in driving sustainability and energy efficiency across industrial and commercial sectors. The workshop aimed to provide practical insights on how SMEs and other major energy consumers, such as buildings, hospitals, and malls, can achieve significant energy savings and enhance financial performance through EPCs while also contributing to national sustainability and climate change mitigation goals.
The day commenced with an inaugural session featuring distinguished keynote speakers. A.K. Mathur, Sr. Vice President LMA, Chairperson of LMA, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the workshop. This was followed by an insightful discussion by Dr. Satish Kumar, President and Executive Director of AEEE, who highlighted the growing significance of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in India. He emphasized how ESCOs, bolstered by government initiatives and increasing energy demands, are becoming key drivers of energy efficiency and sustainability. Dr. Kumar also underscored the transformative role of ESCOs and Energy Service Performance Contracts (ESPCs) in achieving financial savings and advancing the nation’s journey toward a greener, more sustainable future.
During the session, Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Senior Sector Expert from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, Government of India, elaborated on the pivotal role of BEE in supporting Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Following him, Rajiv Kumar, General Manager of SIDBI, discussed the significance of finance in promoting ESCOs and highlighted various schemes available to facilitate their growth. Jitendra Singh, AGM of Bank of Baroda, shared insights into the bank’s role in assisting ESCOs. The inauguration session concluded with a vote of thanks by Keshav Mathur, Vice President of Laghu Udyog Bharti.
The technical session covered three key aspects. First, Vipin Rohilla, Team Lead – Industry at AEEE, explained the role of a facilitator in the ESCO model. Second, various ESCO companies presented successful case studies across different sectors. Amlan Panda, Co-founder and CTO of Energeia Microgrid Pvt. Ltd., and Aryan Singh, Senior Associate at Smart Joules Pvt. Ltd., shared a case study focused on the hospitals.
Mukesh Kumar, Director of Katyani Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd., and Nisha Menon, CEO of Development Environergy Services Ltd. (DESL), presented a case study for MSMEs. Dharmesh Khandelwal, Strategic Business Head at Desire Energy Solution Pvt. Ltd., discussed a case study for a municipal corporation. Lastly, in the technical session, Preksha Tripathi from Munich RE joined virtually to highlight the role of insurance in the ESCO sector. The technical session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Vipin Gupta from LMA.
The workshop concluded on an optimistic note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to implementing sustainable and energy-efficient practices through the adoption of energy performance contracts. This collaborative initiative demonstrated the collective resolve of diverse stakeholders to drive India’s energy transition while ensuring economic growth and environmental stewardship.
