Gujarat, Kerala and Punjab have been ranked as the top three performers in the category of larger states on the list prepared by the State Energy and Climate Index (SECI). Goa emerged as the top-performing state in the smaller states category, followed by Tripura and Manipur. Among UTs, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli are the top performers.
The State Energy and Climate Index (SECI) is the first index that aims to track the efforts made by states and UTs in the climate and energy sector. This ranking is intended to boost the energy sector related reforms and help initiate a dialogue with the states on the same so that much required policy improvements can be made. An in-depth analysis of the states will also help in enhancing the service delivery on various parameters of energy.
Energy and climate-related goals
Moreover, synergy and partnership among the Centre and the states will be critical for achieving energy and climate-related goals and making the country self-reliant in the energy sector. After extensive discussions with stakeholders, several key parameters have been identified to track and rank the performance of the states in this report.
Ranking on six parameters
The State Energy & Climate Index (SECI) Round I has just ranked the states’ performance on 6 parameters, namely- 1- DISCOM’s performance, 2- access, affordability and reliability of energy, 3- clean energy initiatives, 4- energy efficiency, 5- environmental sustainability and 6- new initiatives. The parameters are further divided into 27 indicators. Based on the composite SECI round I score, the states and UTs are categorized into three groups- front runners, achievers, and aspirants. The states have been categorized based on size and geographical differences as larger states, smaller states, and UTs. These parameters have been devised keeping in mind India’s goals for climate change and clean energy transition.
States are diverse in nature
India is a resource-rich and diverse country with many of its states being comparable to several countries of the world including those of the European Union in terms of area, population and diversity of resources. Hence, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work for all the states as they differ in terms of culture, geography, use of energy resources and other things, making it essential for them to have their own need based policy to harness their potential.
Report reflects three thematic parts
The report consists of three thematic parts. The first part explains the background, objective and present energy scenario in India. Different global and national indices are described, as well as a comparison of the Indian economy with a few other countries is done to give an insight into how these economies perform in the energy and climate sectors. A review of all existing indices reveals that there is no comprehensive index to evaluate the performance of the states in the energy sector.
Explanation of parameters and indicators
The second part lays out the explanation of parameters and indicators used in the study, the methodology used to construct the index, followed by key findings at the state level and further analysis of each parameter. A comprehensive State Energy & Climate Index covers affordability, accessibility, efficiency, DISCOM’s performance and climate friendliness of all forms of energy. This formed the motivation for formulating the State Energy & Climate Index. This index is envisaged to be at par with the international indices covering the entire energy value-chain.
Learning coming out of the preparation of report
The third and final part provides learnings and the way forward in the form of recommendations for policymakers with national and state governments. Several learnings emerged during the preparation of the report and it is hoped that the learnings will help policymakers to improve performance in the energy sector. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of state-wise profile of scores achieved under each parameter and indicator. Additional annexure provides information on indicator-wise scores of states. Additional annexures provide detailed information related to indicators definition, weights, null values, state-wise raw data etc.
Some state specific data is not available
This edition of the report reveals that some of the important data is not available at the state level. There is a need to develop a robust mechanism for capturing such data so that it can be incorporated in future editions of the report.
Top people attended the launching ceremony
NITI Aayog has launched the State Energy & Climate Index-Round I on 11th April 2022 at an event chaired by Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog. Dr. V.K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, Alok Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Power and Additional Secretary(Energy), NITI Aayog were also present during the occasion. Dr. Rajiv Kumar said that there is a need to convert our efforts towards achieving the ‘Panchamrit’ targets announced by the hon’ble PM at COP-26, Glasgow into a peoples’ movement. In order to do this, the role of the States is going to be critical.
