The World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2024 by the IEA underscores the importance of energy conservation and management in thermal and electrical utilities, citing benefits such as improved efficiency, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact. These goals align with the APO’s Green Productivity (GP) concept and the UN Sustainable Energy for All initiative, particularly SDG 7. The WEO 2024 also highlights key challenges including upfront capital investment, technical expertise, and behavioral change. The Centre for Excellence in Training for Energy Efficiency (CETEE), hosted by the NPC, India, offers a practical platform with demonstration utilities to build technical capacity in energy utility performance assessment.

The Training Course on Enhancing Utility Energy Performance was held in Chennai, India, 22–26 September 2025, hosted by the NPC. The course aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of energy conservation and management, provide hands-on experience in utility performance assessment, and explore the policy implications of carbon emission reduction on energy finance and technology upgrades.

Twenty participants from 11 APO member economies benefited from sessions led by experts from Denmark, South Africa, and India. Topics included international collaboration on energy metrics, sustainable development through efficiency, enterprise-level KPIs, quantifying energy savings, utility performance metrics, digital tools, and district heating and cooling. Site visits to Danfoss Industries and Grundfos Pumps India showcased successful carbon reduction strategies. Practical exercises at CETEE and group work on real-world cases enriched the learning experience.