National Energy Conservation Day 2023: Date, Theme & History

National Energy Conservation Day (NECD) is celebrated every year on 14 December. This day aims to spread the message on the importance of energy conservation. It showcases the nation's achievements in energy efficiency and energy conservation.

Theme for National Energy Conservation Day, 2023:

• The theme of ‘National Energy Conservation Day’ (NECD) 2023 has not been officially announced yet for 2023.

President Draupadi Murmu attended the NECD 2023 celebrations at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 14 December 2023. On this occasion, President Murmu presented many awards in the field of energy conservation.

 The awards presented include the following: 

• National Energy Conservation Award 2023
• National Energy Efficiency Innovation Award 2023 

The winners of the National Painting Competition 2023 on Energy Conservation were also honoured.

National Energy Conservation Day celebration organised:

• National Energy Conservation Day was organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It comes under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency  was constituted under the Energy Conservation Act 2001. It aims to regulate and promote national energy efficiency and its conservation in India.
• Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, RK Singh addressed the function on the occasion.

History of National Energy Conservation Day:

• In 1991, the Government of India launched a scheme to reward enterprises and organisations making efforts for energy conservation. These awards have been given yearly to eminent individuals and institutions since 14 December 1991.
• On Energy Conservation Day 2022, the government launched the ‘EV Yatra’ portal and mobile application.

About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

• The Government of India established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on March 1, 2002, under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• BEE assists in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy surplus of the Indian economy.
• BEE coordinates with designated users, agencies and other organisations to identify and utilise existing resources and infrastructure in its work.

About National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2023:

• The BEE Energy Conservation Award is given on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day to raise awareness about energy efficiency and its conservation under the guidance of the Ministry of Power.
• A total of 63 awards including 20 First Prizes, 16 Second Prizes and 27 Certificates of Recognition were awarded under the NECA for 2023.

National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) 2023:

• The NEEIA was launched in the year 2021 to recognise India's outstanding work and innovative ideas in the field of energy efficiency.
• A total of 8 awards, including one First Prize, one Second Prize and 6 Certificates of Recognition, have been awarded by NEEIA in 2023.

National Painting Competition, 2023:

• The Ministry of Power has organised the National Painting Competition since 2005 on this day. The purpose is to bring about continuous change in society towards conservation and efficient energy use.
• This competition is conducted at three levels i.e. school, state and national level.