NITI Aayog releases State Energy and Climate Index

NEW DELHI: NITI Aayog has released the State Energy and Climate Index (SECI), a first of its kind index that assesses efforts in policy implementation of states and union territories in the climate and energy sector. The assessment is done on the basis of 27 indicators grouped into six parameters DISCOM’s (distribution company) performance, access, affordability and reliability of energy, clean energy initiatives, energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and new initiatives. The index is based on 2019-2020 data.

The states have been listed in three categories- large states, smaller states and union territories. Gujarat topped the index with a SECI score of 50.1, followed by Kerala (49.1) and Punjab (48.6), amongst the larger states, while Goa has topped the list of smaller states followed by Tripura. Amongst the seven union territories, Chandigarh has the highest SECI score at 55.7 closely followed by Delhi at 55.6.

Apart from ranking the states, the SECI also aims to push the agenda for a transition to clean and green energy and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, by encouraging fresh competition amongst states.

The report also offers suggestions and a way forward about improving the status of clean energy in the state. The states can benchmark themselves on the performance scale and best practices of better performing states can be shared with other states.