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Behavioural Nudges Could Help Delhi Households Cut Electricity Bills

New Delhi: BSES Rajdhani Power Limited has proposed a comprehensive Behavioural Energy Efficiency (BEE) programme aimed at helping households in south and west Delhi lower electricity consumption through small, everyday changes in usage habits. The company has submitted a petition to the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission seeking approval to implement the programme across its licensed areas for the next three years.

This initiative follows a similar step taken by Tata Power-DDL in 2021, which introduced the Behavioural Demand Response (BDR) programme for north and northwest Delhi. Both programmes focus on encouraging consumers to voluntarily reduce non-essential electricity use during peak demand periods.

Consumers enrolled in the programmes are notified in advance via WhatsApp and SMS about upcoming high-demand periods, known as BDR events. They also receive practical energy-saving guidance, such as running air-conditioners on auto mode or temporarily switching off non-critical appliances. The goal is to reduce pressure on the grid while promoting more conscious energy use among households.

An official highlighted the programme’s success, noting that Tata Power-DDL had already enrolled over 1.5 lakh consumers, achieving cumulative energy savings of roughly 1,461.7 MW up to the 2025–26 financial year. Plans are underway to expand enrolment to about 2.5 lakh households.

BSES Rajdhani’s initiative builds on a pilot conducted between April 2018 and September 2019, which involved 2 lakh domestic consumers. The pilot analysed individual electricity consumption patterns and produced customised Home Energy Reports, offering insights and comparisons with similar households. These reports also provided actionable steps for improving energy efficiency.

“The programme empowers consumers by giving them tailored feedback on their electricity usage, helping them adopt energy-efficient habits gradually,” said a government official.

How the Programme Works

• Household electricity consumption is analysed from smart meters.
• Consumers receive personalised home energy reports periodically.
• Reports provide comparisons with similar households in the area.
• Practical energy-saving tips are shared to guide behaviour changes.
• Small changes in usage habits collectively reduce overall electricity demand.

Examples of Adjusted Habits

• Reducing AC use or using AC on auto mode.
• Turning off idle appliances.
• Shifting electricity use to non-peak hours.

Unlike conventional energy efficiency measures that require upfront investment, behavioural interventions rely on simple, low-cost actions. International experience shows utilities can save 1–3% of household energy consumption through such programmes. BSES Rajdhani expects similar savings of 1–1.5% per household under this initiative.

Officials said the programme would also boost consumer awareness about broader energy initiatives, such as rooftop solar adoption. “By combining behavioural science, digital tools, and data analytics, these initiatives aim to influence consumption patterns effectively,” a government source added.