TERI launches portal for businesses to self-assess and improve renewable energy consumption

The Portal for Renewable Energy Action Assessment Metrics is an online rating tool for assessment of an organisation's actions around renewable energy consumption

New Delhi, October 9: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Thursday launched PRAMAAN - Portal for Renewable Energy Action Assessment Metrics, in the presence of representatives from various industries and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.

The portal is an online rating tool for assessment of an organisation's actions around renewable power consumption.

It provides a set of indicators for an organisation to assess its progress in moving towards a low-carbon future and can be used as a framework to prioritise electricity options, assess risks, identify opportunities, set targets and develop a sustainable energy roadmap. All commercial and industrial entities including medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), large corporates interested in assessment of their progress in renewable energy transition and strengthening their renewables policy can participate in the PRAMAAN rating.

Calling the portal a very useful tool and a way to work together, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI, said, "This is a way for organisations who adopt PRAMAAN to learn not only about what they are doing, but also about what the rest of industry is doing in order to understand their own readiness and to draw on the benefits being provided by the move towards renewable energy."

The portal provides a set of indicators for an organisation to assess its progress in moving towards a low-carbon future and can be used as a framework to prioritise electricity options, assess risks, identify opportunities, set targets and develop a sustainable energy roadmap. All commercial and industrial entities including medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs), large corporates interested in assessment of their progress in renewable energy transition and strengthening their renewables policy can participate in the PRAMAAN rating.

"We look forward to C&I sector taking advantage of these kinds of interventions and leading from the front. We also look forward to provide handholding, knowledge sharing, providing resources needed to set up new plants or to fine tune existing plants into third party performance and also provide training wherever require in order to optimise performance," Dr Mathur added.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) recently announced that sustainability reporting, which is mandatory for the top 100 companies as of now, will be mandatory for top 1000 companies from 2021. In this background, there is a need for a framework that provides recognition to the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) sector's contributions to national targets of clean energy; provides assessment of the actual energy units consumed rather than the capacity installed, hence giving a realistic picture of organisation's energy sustainability; provides hand-holding support to prepare a holistic action plan to galvanise organisations to take the required actions; and provides information on both supporting and restrictive) regulatory and policy related conditions. Congratulating TERI for the ‘unique initiative', Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said that while some there are large companies that have committed to 100% renewable energy integration, MSMEs remain a challenge in this area. He suggested thinking of innovative approaches and looking at measures such as cluster approach, common services etc.

Pranav Mehta, Chairman, National Solar Energy Federation of India, and Global Solar Council, said that he is happy to join the launch on behalf of both the organisations. "A lot of work remains to be done... PRAMAAN couldn't have come at a better time," he said, saying that the "world is watching us" as India is seen as one of the leaders in the renewable energy movement.

From the MNRE, Govt of India, Tarun Singh, Scientist ‘D', listed many measures that the ministry is in touch with many corporates for developing renewable energy as their main source of energy. He highlighted that incorporating more renewables in business is a way to reduce both environmental footprint and energy costs for companies.

The launch saw the presence of representatives from companies such as Infosys, Tata Steel Limited, KfW, Chanderpur Works, and Maxop, among others, who shared the measures taken by them to reduce their carbon footprint. Dr Ashvini Kumar, Senior Director, Renewable Energy, at TERI thanked them all for sharing their suggestions and experiences.

"This portal is milestone in promoting renewable energy uses in the C&I sector and bringing feedback to policy makers on the issues faced by the sector in fulfilling its role in meeting India's climate commitments," he added.

About TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an independent, multi-dimensional organisation, with capabilities in research, policy, consultancy and implementation. It has pioneered conversations and action in the energy, environment, climate change, and sustainability space for over four decades.

The institute's research and research-based solutions have had a transformative impact on industry and communities. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has regional centres and campuses in Gurugram, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai, Panaji, and Nainital, supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists and engineers, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

For further information, contact:
TERI – Aastha Manocha: aastha.manocha@teri.res.in
Edelman – Rakhi Aurora: rakhi.aurora@edelman.com