BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Monday launched the UJALA scheme, the LED-based efficient lighting programme.
Launching the programme, Minister of State for Energy Pranab Prakash Das said the aim of the programme is to improve energy efficiency. Apart from reducing energy consumption of the State, this will benefit consumers as their energy bills will come down substantially.
Stating that UJALA, an acronym for Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All, is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of Central public sector units under the Ministry of Power, Das said and added that about one crore LED bulbs are proposed to be replaced in the State.
“The programme is expected to save energy of more than 290 million units resulting in capacity reduction of about 275 MW in the power generation front, besides contributing towards climate change mitigation,” he said.
The Minister said about 47 lakh domestic consumers and three lakh commercial consumers will benefit from this programme.
Under this scheme, each domestic consumer will be provided up to 10 LED bulbs of nine Watt each while commercial consumers can avail up to 20 bulbs. Public institutions will be provided with LED bulbs as per their requirement.
While the market price of a nine Watt LED bulb is more than Rs 400, the Government is supplying it at a subsidised rate of Rs 85 with three years guarantee.
Energy Secretary Rajesh Verma said this programme targets to complete replacement of ordinary (incandescent) bulbs and CFLs by LED bulbs. All the distribution companies will inform the public about the distribution points in their area of operation.
Chairman and Managing Director of GRIDCO Hemant Sharma said UJALA scheme will immensely benefit the State which has to buy costly thermal power during peak demand for uninterrupted supply of power to people.
While the average power demand of the State is about 3,200 MW, the demand jumped to over 4,000 MW during peak hours. Power purchase during peak hours cost the State a hefty amount as the unit cost goes up to Rs 8.
“More power we save, less will be the bill. It will ultimately benefit the consumers,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) SK Popali and EESL General Manager Venkatesh Dwivedi advised consumers to avail this unique opportunity.