Maharashtra has emerged as the national leader in energy efficiency, securing the top spot in the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2024 released by the Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The index, developed in collaboration with the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), evaluated the performance of 36 states and union territories across seven key demand sectors for the financial year 2023–24. Maharashtra’s achievement reflects its sustained commitment to energy conservation, policy innovation, and implementation of low-cost, high-impact solutions.
The SEEI 2024 is the sixth edition of the index and serves as a critical policy tool for tracking sub-national progress in India’s energy transition. It aligns with national goals to reduce emissions intensity by 45 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Key Highlights From The SEEI 2024 Rankings
- Maharashtra ranked first overall and led Group 1 (states with energy consumption above 15 million tonnes of oil equivalent)
- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura topped Groups 2, 3, and 4 respectively
- Five states were classified as ‘Front Runners’ with scores above 60 percent: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana
- Assam and Kerala were placed in the ‘Achievers’ category, scoring between 50 and 60 percent
- Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh were listed as ‘Contenders’, scoring between 30 and 50 percent
Sectoral Performance And Implementation Metrics
The SEEI 2024 assessed states across seven demand sectors:
1. Buildings
2. Industry
3. Municipal services
4. Transport
5. Agriculture
6. Electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs)
7. Cross-sector initiatives
Maharashtra demonstrated leadership in multiple areas, including:
- Adoption of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017, with integration into municipal by-laws
- Promotion of electric mobility through state-level policies and infrastructure mandates
- Implementation of solar-powered agricultural pumps and demand-side management programs in DISCOMs
- Active participation in the Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) scheme for industrial energy savings
- Establishment of a State-Level Steering Committee on Energy Transition under the Chief Secretary
Compared to SEEI 2023, the number of ‘Front Runner’ states declined from seven to five, indicating a more competitive and implementation-focused evaluation framework in 2024.
Policy Framework And Strategic Vision
The SEEI 2024 introduced 66 indicators to measure ground-level implementation, sectoral outcomes, and institutional maturity. These include:
- ESCO model adoption for public infrastructure retrofits
- Star rating systems for commercial buildings
- MSME cluster profiling for targeted energy interventions
- EV demand-side incentives and charging infrastructure mandates
- Capacity-building programs and technology demonstrations
All 36 states and UTs have now formulated State Energy Efficiency Action Plans (SEEAPs), and 31 have set up steering committees to guide their energy transition strategies.
Leadership Commentary And National Goals
Akash Tripathi, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Power and Director General of BEE, emphasized that energy efficiency is a foundational pillar of India’s climate strategy. He described the SEEI as a milestone in institutionalizing state-level data monitoring and fostering competitive improvements.
Tripathi noted that energy efficiency offers low-cost, scalable solutions that cut across sectors and can accelerate India’s progress toward its net-zero goals. The SEEI provides actionable insights for states to refine their policies and improve performance year-on-year.
Energy Transition Outlook: Maharashtra Sets The Benchmark
Maharashtra’s top ranking in the SEEI 2024 signals a robust and mature energy efficiency ecosystem. Its success reflects a blend of policy foresight, administrative coordination, and sectoral innovation. As India intensifies its clean energy transition, Maharashtra’s model offers a replicable blueprint for other states aiming to balance growth with sustainability.
Sources: The Hans India, Economic Times EnergyWorld, SolarQuarter, Press Information Bureau India
