New Delhi: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Ministry of Power has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Coal India Limited (CIL) for a strategic partnership for energy efficiency and resource conservation for de-carbonisation of CIL and its subsidiaries. The MoU was signed by Shri Venkatesh Dwivedi, Director (Projects & Business Development), EESL and Shri Sanjiv Soni, Director (Finance), CIL, in the august presence of Hon’ble Coal Secretary, Shri Anil Kumar Jain.

The MoU comes on the back of a decision by CIL to undertake energy efficiency measures across all CIL facilities. Under this association, EESL will carry out studies to identify opportunities for CIL to adopt clean energy and energy efficient practices, implement its energy efficiency projects with innovative financial models in a customised approach, monitor the impact of implemented energy efficiency projects and also support CIL and its subsidiaries in training and capacity- building of its plant workers.

Hon’ble Coal Secretary, Shri. Anil Kumar Jain said, “India is looking to significantly reduce its carbon intensity and immediate interventions are the need of the hour. We are committed to the environment and despite being a coal mining company, Coal India will pick up energy efficiency as a mantra and implement it across its plants to set up an example in the country.”

“There is considerable potential for decarbonisation of power generation plants and I commend both EESL and CIL for taking this initiative, as this sets a great precedent for others to follow suit.” He added.

Sharing his views on the association, Shri. Saurabh Kumar, EVC, EESL said, “As we see energy demand shooting up across the country, there has been an immense need to rapidly increase energy access, while decarbonising generation sources and increasing energy security. Our association with Coal India Ltd. will ensure implementing practical decarbonisation strategies and large scale deployment of energy efficiency measures in their various plants. This will also support in strengthening India’s role in the global effort towards decarbonisation.”

Highlighting the importance of the association, Shri Pramod Agarwal, IAS, Chairman & MD, Coal India Limited said, “We at CIL are seeking immediate technical solutions to enable decarbonisation across our plants. We are determined to achieve this through various programmes implemented by EESL in our premises. Through this association with EESL, we are expecting considerable environmental benefits, which will lead to a sustainable future.”

Under this MoU, EESL will support CIL in implementing clean energy and energy efficiency projects under its Integrated Energy Efficiency Service (IEES) model. This model includes integration of EESL’s various programmes including Street Lights National Programme; Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (including Super-Efficient Air-Conditioners and Centralised Chiller System); Decentralised Solar Programme; Trigeneration; National Motor Replacement Programme; Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve indoor air quality for safety and efficiency (RAISE), National E-mobility Programme; and Smart Meter National Programme.

While EESL will make investments and develop project models on a customised basis, CIL will provide all permissions and statutory clearances. The process will start with energy audits of buildings and facilities under CIL, followed by the implementation of the measures.