As many as 29.5 lakh LED streetlights have been retrofitted under street lighting national program (SLNP) scheme in Andhra Pradesh, the highest for any state in the country. Over 2.2 crore LED bulbs have been distributed till date in AP under Unnat Jyothi Affordable LEDs for All (Ujala).
As the Energy Efficiency Services Limited commemorates the 9th anniversary of Ujala and SLNP, it has announced that 36.86 crore LED bulbs, 72.18 lakh tube lights, and 23.59 lakh energy-efficient fans have been supplied since its inception.
The EESL achieved a remarkable 90% reduction in these lighting appliance prices through Ujala and SLNP initiatives as a testament to energy efficiency.
This effort translated into an estimated energy savings of a whopping 48.42 billion kWh annually. The ripple effect extended further, avoiding peak demand of 9,789 MW and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the tune of 39.30 million tonnes of Co2 per year. Equally impressive are the estimated annual monetary savings of Rs 19,334 crore in consumer electricity bills.
The Convergence Energy Services Limited, a subsidiary of EESL, implemented the innovative Gram Ujala scheme. This initiative is aimed at providing rural households with 7-watt and 12-watt LED bulbs, backed by a three-year warranty, at an affordable rate of Rs 10 each. The exchange programme, where old incandescent lamps were swapped for energy-efficient alternatives, contributed significantly to both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.
During a review meeting, EESL CEO Vishal Kapoor thanked Bureau of Energy Efficiency, state governments and Union Territories for being part of this success. He appealed to propel the success of Ujala and SLNP initiatives, emphasising their transformative impact on energy efficiency. Urging collective commitment, he encouraged widespread adoption to ensure a sustainable and greener future for the nation.
The procurement price of LED bulbs witnessed a remarkable 90% reduction, dropping from Rs 310 in January 2014 to a highly affordable Rs 39.9 by August 2019. Technical specifications also saw enhancements, with LED bulbs now featuring 9W and an improved luminosity of 100 lumen/W.According to the EESL officials, the impact on the government, local bodies, and individuals is undeniable, as the nation collectively takes strides towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.
