Urja Arpan Initiative

Getting Customers Aboard on the Need to Commit to Energy Efficiency

The brain behind the Tata Power-Delhi Distribution Ltd’s (TPDDL) Urja Arpan initiative in the National Capital Region (Delhi-NCR)—Rajeev Kharyal, Head Customer Services, Key Consumer Group and Government Affairs, TPDDL, is a leader with his eye on an ambitious goal. Understanding that for a power distribution unit like the TPDDL to be financially sustainable consumer behaviour is key, he has introduced several energy efficiency initiatives. Apart from Delhi, this energy efficiency model is being replicated in Odisha as well under Demand Side Management (DSM) initiatives. Speaking to Sushmita Malaviya, he details the challenges to bringing down carbon emission and the mission that TPDDL is on to double its efforts to reach 300 million units (MUs) in three years.

Tell us about energy efficiency being the first fuel.

While India contributes only 5 per cent in carbon emissions, we at TPDDL have been following the global data very closely. The evidence is present that carbon dioxide levels have increased by nearly 50 per cent above pre-industrial levels. More importantly, carbon dioxide has never increased more than 30 parts per million (ppm) during any previous 1000-year period and that has already risen by 30 ppm in the past two decades. We also know that electricity and heat contribute 43 per cent to carbon emission and transport contributes 22 per cent.

Energy efficiency is the first fuel—the fuel you do not have to use—and in terms of supply, it is abundantly available and cheap to extract. But demand for the first fuel needs to grow, and that’s where policy action matters the most. As a power distribution unit, we had to initiate activities aimed at raising awareness and committing to action.