IndiaCSR News Network
NEW DELHI: In a major initiative aimed at promoting energy efficiency in the city of Varanasi, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (IC) Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy has launched Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) and LED-Based Smart Street Light programmes in Varanasi late evening yesterday in the presence of Yassir Shah, Minister of Energy, Government of UP.
Launch of these initiatives heralds the government’s pledge to cut down energy usage by 10,000 MW during peak hours by promoting LED lights across the nation. Central and State Government in association with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector entity under Ministry of Power, will distribute about 13 lakh LED bulbs to 2,28,496 Domestic Consumers, and replace 36,077 conventional street lights with energy efficient LEDs in Varanasi.
Speaking on the occasion Goyal said “With energy-efficient LED lights, demand of electricity in Varanasi will be down by 45 MW and lead to savings to the tune of Rs. 68 crore. The innovative business model of conversion of conventional streetlights with energy efficient LED street lights has the potential of replication as it obviates the need for any capital investment by Municipal bodies.
This will also lead to substantial savings in energy during peak hours while at the same time enhancing the service quality of the lights. There will be considerable savings on the street lights as well as in the domestic sector in due course. This should help ensure 24×7 supply to every household” Yassir Shah, Minister of Energy UP also spoke during the inauguration of LED based EE initiatives in Varanasi
EESL will replace the estimated 36,077 conventional street lights with energy efficient and smart LED lights across the city at its own cost. Over the course of 5-7 years, municipalities will use part of the savings in energy and maintenance cost to repay EESL. Provided with free replacements and maintenance of lights at no additional cost, municipalities can affordably install state-of-the-art long-lasting and energy efficient street lights at no upfront capital cost. This will enable the municipalities to obtain state-of-the-art and energy efficient LED street lights without any upfront cost or any additional future expenditure, and with 5 to 7 years of maintenance.
EESL in cooperation with Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (PUVVNL) will also implement Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme across the city. The LED distribution programme will distribute about 13 lakh LED bulbs to grid-connected domestic consumers in Varanasi.
Under DELP, each household having connected load of less than or equal to 2kw will be provided with up to five 7-Watt high quality LED bulbs at an initial payment of Rs.10 each followed by a recovery of Rs.110 each over a period of 11 months from electricity bills.
In essence, a household can purchase a LED bulb at an overall cost of 120 as against the retail price of Rs.350-600 along with a 3-years free replacement warranty. It is estimated that the households will benefit Rs.162 per annum as savings in electricity bill (at current average tariff) for each LED bulb, exceeding Rs.120 purchase cost per LED.
The combined impact of the Government’s two initiatives could help Varanasi achieve energy savings to the tune of nearly 104 million kWh annually. This translates to a total cost savings of about Rs. 68 Cr per annum.
Energy Efficiency is a key thrust area of the Central and State Government and emphasis has been laid on scaling up its implementation. On a national level all incandescent bulbs will be changed to LED in three years.
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