Gujarat has topped the NITI Aayog’s State Energy and Climate Index (SECI) Round 1 among larger states. Kerala and Punjab take the next two positions in the category. Goa emerged as the top-performing state in the smaller states category followed by Tripura and Manipur. Among union territories (UTs), Chandigarh, Delhi and Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli are the top performers. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand were placed at the bottom among the larger states.
SECI Round-1 ranks states and UTs on six parameters—discoms’ performance; access affordability and reliability of energy; clean energy initiatives; energy efficiency; environmental sustainability; and new initiatives. The parameters are further divided into 27 indicators.
The index is based on 2019-20 data. The report has detailed state profiles and scorecards to provide a comprehensive snapshot of each state and union territory on the parameters.
In the report, Tamil Nadu was found to be India’s most energy-efficient state.
Releasing the report, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar said the index will encourage states and union territories towards energy transition, analyse the potential challenges to develop better policy mechanisms, and efficiently manage their energy resources.
Punjab was the best performer in discom performance parameter among larger states, while Kerala emerged as the top performer in access, affordability and reliability category. Haryana was the best performer when it comes to clean energy initiatives among larger states, while Tamil Nadu emerged
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.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog said that there is a need to convert our efforts towards achieving the ‘Panchamrit’ targets announced by the Prime Minister at COP-26, Glasgow into a peoples’ movement. Governance innovation and mutual learning by states shall go a long way in improving outcomes and SECI Round I is the right step in this direction, he said.