10-06-2025
New air-conditioners to have 20 degrees C as minimum temperature: Power Minister
India is planning to regulate the maximum and minimum temperatures of new air conditioners in homes, offices, and even cars, in a bid to reduce unnecessary energy consumption, Union Power and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Tuesday. The minister also announced a Rs 5,400 crore viability gap fund (VGF) support for 30 GWh battery storage projects.
Addressing journalists during a press conference to mark 11 years of the
Narendra Modi
government, the Minister said deliberations are underway to fix the minimum temperature at 20 degrees centigrade and maximum at 28 degrees centigrade for all new air conditioners.
Explaining the rationale, Union Power Secretary, Pankaj Agarwal said there are 10 crore air conditioners (AC) in the country and around 1.5 cr new ACs are added every year. A one degree reduction in AC temperature causes energy consumption to rise by 6%.
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'New air conditioners will not allow setting temperature below 20 degree Celsius and above 28,' Khattar said.
Commenting on the way ahead, he said the centre is currently supporting 13.2 GWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) through a Viability Gap Funding (VGF). In addition to this, a fresh Rs 5,400 crore scheme aims to attract Rs 33,000 crore in investment, meeting the country's BESS requirement by 2028.
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Highlighting the achievements of the 11 years of Modi government, the minister said India is on the path to be energy surplus.
'Peak power demand stood at 241 GW on June 9. There was no shortfall. We are prepared to meet a peak power demand of 270 GW this year,' Khattar said.
India added its highest-ever generation capacity of 34 GW during 2024-25, with renewable energy accounting for 29.5 GW. The nation's total installed capacity now stands at 472.5 GW, up from 249 GW in 2014.
