WEF released Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2016

World Economic Forum (WEF) on 2 March 2016 released the fourth edition of the Global Energy Architecture Performance Index Report 2016 (EAPI) compiling 126 countries. India has been ranked at 90^th position which is topped by Switzerland.

The annual index provides a benchmark to help countries address energy transformation challenges and identify opportunities across their energy systems.

It explored the energy architecture of 126 countries based on their ability to provide energy access across three dimensions of the "energy triangle" affordability, environmental sustainability, security and access.

WEF prepared the report in collaboration with Accenture which noted that large emerging economies are pressed both by the need to support economic growth and build resilient and sustainable energy architecture.

Highlights of the Report

• The list was topped by Switzerland followed by Norway and Sweden in the second and third place, respectively while, India stood at 90.

• Others in the top 10 include France (4), Denmark (5), Austria (6), Spain (7), Colombia (8), New Zealand (9) and Uruguay (10).

• Among the BRIC nations, Brazil was the top performer as it was ranked at the 25th place, followed by Russia (52), India (90), and China (94).

• Among other major economies Germany was ranked at the 24th place, while the United States was at the 48 rank and Japan was at the 50 rank.

• World energy production and imports rose by 3200 million tonnes of oil equivalent over the last decade driven by the boom in the Asian economies and led by China and India.

• As a result, fuel trade patterns have dramatically changed during this period. In particular, Asia accounted for less than 20 per cent of the world fuel trades in 2004, but this figure has sharply risen to 35 per cent in 2014, leading to a redistribution of forces and new alliances around the world, it said.

Regarding India

Placing India at 90^th position, the report noted that the country is facing challenges that include the need to increase energy delivery to meet its growth targets and expand access to energy. Nevertheless, electrification has progressed and is now accessible to 79 percent of the population.

The need to become more energy-efficient, more diverse and less carbon-intensive is especially acute for major emerging economies, making it critical to progress with government responses to these pressures through energy reform.

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