A major energy efficiency drive in Greater Hyderabad has yielded staggering results, with the metropolitan area saving a massive 238 million units of electricity in just one year. This conservation effort translated into direct cost savings of Rs 193 crore and significantly reduced the city's carbon footprint by 0.19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Key Initiatives Driving Massive Savings
The impressive figures were revealed in a detailed report prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and the state government's renewable energy agency, TSREDCO. The savings were not the result of a single action but a combination of strategic interventions across the city.
A cornerstone of this success has been the large-scale retrofitting of street lights with energy-efficient LED technology. EESL national advisor A Chandrasekhar Reddy highlighted that within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits alone, the agency has retrofitted 5.5 lakh LED street lights. This forms a substantial part of the 15.41 lakh LED street lights installed across the entire state of Telangana.
Innovative Projects and Broader Impact
Beyond street lighting, the report credits other innovative projects for contributing to the energy savings. One notable pilot was the cool roof project implemented at the University of Hyderabad. Cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat, thereby reducing the energy needed for cooling buildings. This initiative, along with other targeted energy conservation programs, played a crucial role in achieving the remarkable annual savings.
The financial implication of saving 238 million units is profound for the city's administration and taxpayers. The Rs 193 crore saved represents funds that can be redirected to other essential public services and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the environmental benefit—cutting 0.19 million tonnes of CO2—is a significant step toward cleaner air and meeting broader climate action goals.
A Model for Urban Sustainability
The report underscores Hyderabad's position as a leading city in India's urban energy efficiency landscape. The collaborative model between a central government enterprise like EESL, the technical expertise of BEE, and the state's own TSREDCO demonstrates how public agencies can work together to achieve substantial economic and environmental outcomes.
The success in Hyderabad sets a powerful precedent for other major Indian cities. It proves that large-scale, systematic interventions in public infrastructure, such as street lighting and building design, can lead to exponential savings. The findings are likely to encourage the replication of similar energy efficiency programs across Telangana and other states, contributing to national objectives for energy security and sustainability.
