In news: Recently, the Prime Minister of India, while addressing the World Sustainable Development summit highlighted the Ujala program of Government of India
A brief note on Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA)
Launch: The Government of India’s zero subsidy Ujala program was launched by the Prime Minister on January 5, 2015. It aims to provide LED bulbs to domestic consumers with a target to replace 770 million incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs by March, 2019.
Ministry: Ministry of Power
Aim: To promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduces electricity bills and helps to preserve the environment.
Objectives of the National Programme
The programme is designed to reduce energy consumption in the lighting sector and to promote LED based efficient lighting products. The key objectives of the programmes are as follows:
- Reduce energy consumption in lighting which helps DISCOMs to manage peak demand
- Promote the use of the most efficient lighting technology at affordable rates to domestic consumers which benefits them by way of reduced energy bill
- Enhance the awareness of consumers about the efficacy of using efficient appliances which in turn could change their buying preferences from low first cost based purchases to lifecycle cost.
- Increase the demand of LED lights by aggregating requirements across the country and provide an impetus to domestic lighting industry through economies of size.
- Encourage and support domestic manufacturing of LED bulbs by sustaining demand making it consistent with the ‘Make in India’ policy of the Government.
- Provide a sustainable service model that obviates the need for upfront capital investment as well as additional revenue expenditure to pay for procurement of LED lights.
- Provide a base model which can not only be replicated in lighting energy efficiency but also in host of other energy using appliances in domestic and other sectors.
- Create robust arrangements for monitoring and verification of energy savings in a simple and transparent manner.
- Create an enabling environment for private sector investments in the lighting sector
Over all targets
UJALA LED bulbs
- Overall target of number of LED lights to be replaced in 3 years – 770 million
- Expected annual energy savings – 105 bn KWh
- Expected reduction of peak load – 20,000 MW
- Annual estimated greenhouse gas emission reductions – 79 million tonnes of CO2
Eligibility of acquiring LED Bulbs
Every grid-connected consumer having a metered connection from their respective Electricity Distribution Company can get the LED bulbs at about 40% of the market price under the UJALA Scheme. Consumers also have the option of paying for the LEDs in equated monthly instalments.
Why does the scheme promote LEDs?
Under the scheme, 20W LED tube lights and BEE 5-star rated energy efficient fans are also distributed to the consumers. The 20W LED tube lights are 50% more energy efficient than conventional 40W tube lights and are available for Rs. 220/- per tube, as against the market price of Rs. 400-600. The energy efficient fans under the UJALA scheme come with a BEE 5 Star rating. These ceiling fans are rated 30% more energy efficient than conventional fans and are priced at Rs. 1200/- per fan.
Implementation
The Electricity Distribution Company and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) a public sector body of Government of India are implementing the programme.
