Energy efficient lights can save Rs 4.7 lakh crore

As power-starved Indian states are contemplating ways to negotiate steep rise in power demand during Summer, saving power through energy-efficient electrical apparatus becomes an inevitable option for the residents to check the mounting power bills.

To spread the awareness about using energy-efficient electrical fittings, India’s leading industry body ASSOCHAM has conducted a study, according to which, “Widespread use of new and efficient lighting devices can save nearly 35,000 megawatt of power and the nation can gain Rs 4.7 lakh crore.” 

The devices include light emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Implementation of this lighting efficiency option will cost about Rs 50,000 crore, said the study.

One LED used in a household can save 54 watt per connection at the consumer end when a 6 watt LED replaces a 60 watt incandescent lamp (ICL) – the conventional light bulb. The consumer will save 16 paise for every hour of lighting use at an average domestic tariff of Rs 3 per kilowatt hour.

LEDs have typical efficiencies of 110 lumen per watt and an operating life of 50,000 to 80,000 burning hours as compared to a pitiable 5 to 20 lumen per watt and life of only 1,000 burning hours for the commonly-used incandescent bulb, said the ASSOCHAM study titled ‘Encashing Lighting Energy Efficiencies – A National Strategy Document.’

Though relatively expensive at present, LEDs are basically solid state devices that convert electric energy directly into light of a single colour. CFLs too consume only 20 per cent of electricity for the same light output and can last 10 to 13 times longer than the standard incandescent bulb.

Spreading awareness among consumers, government policy support, standardisation of products, demonstrations and industry involvement are key to bring in attitudinal changes, said the study.

It added that a 50:50 thermal:hydro mix in the newly planned generating capacity could result in national savings of Rs 5.2 lakh crore.

ASSOCHAM recommended an aggressive and widespread expansion of the government’s energy star labelling and Bachat Lamp Yojana (BLY) to cover all kinds of lighting devices which provides CFL to households at a price of incandescent bulb and utilise the clean development mechanism of Kyoto Protocol to recover the cost difference and reduce emissions to protect the global environment.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the union power ministry, had launched the project in February 2009 to replace 400 million ICLs with CFLs across the country.

The scheme envisages providing two CFLs of 14 or 16 watts which cost around Rs 70 each when bought in bulk to every electrified household at a subsidised price of Rs 15 per lamp in exchange for two ICLs.