Creation of SEECA

The Sindh Energy Efficiency & Conservation Agency (SEECA) was established in October 2022 as the first provincial body under Article 3(12) of the NEECA Act 2016. This act empowers provincial governments to designate specific public departments as focal points for proper coordination, facilitation, and enforcement of the act’s provisions.

Mandate of SEECA

SEECA is tasked with implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures across all economic sectors in the Sindh province, which covers an area of 140,914 square kilometers with a population of 55.7 million people and approximately 7 million households. This mandate includes the management of all fuel and electricity resources to achieve significant conservation targets. Over the next five years, SEECA aims to save 1,107,338 cubic meters of gas and 1600 GWh of electricity at a fraction of the cost of new generation.

Role of SEECA

SEECA’s role is multifaceted, involving the implementation of policies, programs, and projects through the private sector to meet and exceed targets set by NEECA. Key activities include:

  • Assisting and facilitating the development and deployment of energy-efficient equipment and practices for sustainable economic growth.
  • Encouraging technology transfer and local manufacturing of energy-efficient appliances, equipment, and tools.
  • Promoting Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and other organizations that support energy efficiency and conservation.
  • Undertaking pilot and full-scale energy efficiency improvement projects on a commercial scale.
  • Supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for improved efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Roadmap for Program Delivery

SEECA has developed a comprehensive three-year business plan that includes:
  • Determining energy conservation (EC) and energy efficiency (EE) potential.
  • Finalizing approaches for program delivery based on sectoral or fuel-based strategies.
  • Designing organizational structures and manpower requirements.
  • Developing service and recruitment rules.
  • Establishing SEECA’s vision and policy statements.
  • Identifying specific programs for industry, buildings, agriculture, and the transport sector.

Implementation Mechanism

To achieve a 10% energy conservation target, SEECA employs various implementation mechanisms, including:
  • Sectoral approaches with a focus on awareness, audits, pilot demonstrations, standards and labeling programs, and equipment/appliance replacement programs.
  • Special focus on women’s mainstreaming, data analytics, and measurable savings.
  • Fiscal and financial incentives to support pollution reduction, NDCs, and SDG-7.

Information Outreach and Education

SEECA emphasizes visibility and institution building through initiatives such as:
  • Developing and finalizing the SEECA website.
  • Proposing and preparing for the first Energy Efficiency and Conservation (International) Symposium.
  • Launching the Chief Minister’s Award to recognize and incentivize outstanding efforts in energy efficiency and conservation.
  • Creating the SEECA Ambassadors program through home energy conservation seminars.
  • Implementing a detailed awareness, information, and outreach plan.

Policy Initiatives

SEECA recommends policy initiatives to:
  • Align new government procurements with NEECA notified Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
  • Consider the Building Energy Code in new building approvals.
  • Incentivize solar adoption in grid-unserved areas and urban poor sectors.
  • Develop labeling programs for appliances.

Sectoral Approaches

SEECA focuses on energy conservation in various sectors:
  • Transport Sector: Prepared fact sheets and tips for driver energy efficiency, vehicle maintenance, and diesel engine diagnostics.
  • Domestic Sector: Developed fact sheets, training materials, and a project concept for training 31,000 women in energy conservation.
  • Buildings: Targeted awareness programs, appliance replacement initiatives, preliminary building energy audits, and promoting the Building Energy Code through workshops.
  • Industrial Sector: Programs for boiler furnace tune-ups, steam system surveys, and preparing targeted programs for boiler replacement, variable drive motors, and power factor improvement.

Developing Linkages

SEECA has established connections with several training institutes, implementing agencies, donors, and key government agencies to advance its objectives. Collaborative projects are being developed with organizations such as KE, SSGC, PSO, and equipment manufacturers to comply with MEPS and attract climate financing for SEECA projects.

Three-Year Business Plan and Budget

SEECA’s three-year business plan includes a proposed budget with contributions from the government, self-generation, donor grants, PSDP, and climate funds. The estimated value of savings from these initiatives is approximately USD 3.5 billion.

Way Forward

SEECA is focused on expanding its office space, staffing, and core budget to include testing and office equipment, consulting, data collection, awareness campaigns, and project funding. Several projects are under preparation for donor and government funding to ensure successful program implementation.