After CFL, Union govt focusing on LED bulbs to save power

Chennai:

After the successful campaign of replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs), the Union government is now focusing on encouraging the use of  light-emitting diodes (LEDs), according to Union Power secretary P Uma Shankar.

Speaking during a Bureau of Energy Efficiency Roundtable on Attaining Energy Efficiency and the Way Forward for IT Industry at IIT research park here on Saturday, Shankar said the government would provide two crore LED bulbs to households across the country.

He said that two crore families in India don’t have access to electricity and government would be providing them with power under the rural electrification programme. He said under the programme two crore LED bulbs would also be provided.

He said LED bulbs would be a game changer in reducing lighting loads. Interestingly, LED light bulbs use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL). LED bulbs used in fixtures inside the home save electricity, remain cool and save money on replacement costs since LED bulbs last so long. Small LED flashlight bulbs will extend battery life 10 to 15 times longer than with incandescent bulbs.

Interestingly, LED bulbs are expensive but the government is trying to create a huge market demand through its rural electrification programme and set up manufacturing facilities, which will push down the prices.

Interestingly, the Union government is also planning to make it mandatory to have star rated agriculture pumps. “There is a need to change the inefficient pumps with efficient ones. The wasteful consumption could be avoided if there is proper pricing of power in agriculture sector,” Shankar added.

He said that the Union government has identified eight industrial sectors and has set a mandate to reduce specific use of energy. “Under the programme, we are targeting 400 units of these sectors to cut down on power consumption by five per cent. The programme is a mandatory one and industries failing to abide by it will face penalties. Those companies which comply and reduce power consumption would honoured with energy saving certificates,” he added.

Shankar, who is an alumni of IIT Madras, said that the Power ministry under the five year plan has budgetary support for energy efficiency and is keen on working with IIT Chennai in this regard.