We Plan to Install Additional 1.6 Crore LED Streetlights by 2024
Can you provide an update on the progress of the Street Lighting National Programme, including the number of LED streetlights installed and the energy savings achieved so far?
As part of the Streetlighting National Programme (SLNP), EESL has installed over 1.32 crore LED streetlights in ULBs and Gram Panchayats across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 8.92 billion kWh per year and has helped in avoiding peak demand to the tune of 1,488 MW. Additionally, these streetlights have facilitated GHG emission reduction of 6.15 million t CO2 per year. The installation of 1.32 crore LED streetlights in India have helped in reducing GHG emissions of 6.15 million tonne CO2 per year. These streetlights have also resulted in energy savings of 8.92 billion kWh per year. Going forward, we plan to install additional 1.6 crore LED streetlights by 2024. SLNP has ushered in a transformative era of public illumination. In addition to delivering significant energy and cost savings, it has enhanced the aesthetics of civic assets and substantially improved public safety.
How much outstanding dues remain from Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as on date? What steps have been taken/initiated towards the recovery of dues?
Our current outstanding receivables from ULBs against SLNP stand at approximately Rs 2,867 crore as on 30th September, and we are in the process of implementing a comprehensive business overhaul to recover these outstanding amounts. To achieve this goal, we are exploring various avenues for debt recovery, including legal recourse. Our proactive approach involves ongoing discussions with states and ULBs to explore all possible amicable solutions. Additionally, we have taken the step of issuing legal notices to certain ULBs. In certain cases of ULBs making consistent delay in settling these dues, we have been compelled to temporarily suspend project work in the specific state or ULB affected by invoking contractual provisions, though this remains a measure of last resort. We are happy with the support that we have been getting from the government, including the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). They are working on establishing a mechanism where states make centralized payments to EESL on behalf of ULBs— a practice already in effect in some states. Concurrently, we are intensifying our engagement
What impact has the UJALA initiative had on promoting energy-efficient lighting in households and institutions across India?
UJALA has undoubtedly emerged as a self-sustaining government initiative. It has not only delivered traditional benefits such as energy savings and reduced carbon emissions but has also spurred substantial investments in LED bulb manufacturing. Till date, EESL has distributed over 36.86 crore LED bulbs, 72.18 lakh LED Tube lights and 23.59 lakh energy efficient fans across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 48.39 billion kWh per year and avoided peak demand to
the tune of 9,788 MW. Additionally, the programme has facilitated GHG emission reduction of 39.30 million t CO2 per year and helped consumers save as much as Rs 19,332 crore in their annual electricity bills.
Can you share insights into the challenges and strategies for ensuring the affordability and accessibility of LED bulbs under UJALA?
In 2014, the Ministry of Power issued a directive to EESL in order to encourage widespread adoption of LED lighting in India. As mentioned above, the Indian LED lighting market was still in a nascent stage, with substantial untapped potential. At that time, LEDs were priced at around Rs 450-500 each, considerably more than CFLs (INR 100-150) and incandescent bulbs (INR 10- 15) – which hindered their adoption. In the fiscal year 2013-14, LEDs held less than a 1 per cent share of the lighting market, with a staggering 77 crore incandescent bulbs and approximately 30 crore CFLs sold. In response, EESL, building on the efforts of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and a thorough assessment of barriers and challenges, conceived a novel business model called "PAY-AS-YOU- SAVE" (PAYS).
Could you elaborate on the objectives and key achievements of the Agriculture Demand Side Management Program, especially in the context of agricultural energy efficiency and sustainability?
The Agricultural Demand Side Management (AgDSM) program in India is focused on improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of agricultural practices, particularly in the context of irrigation. In India, many farmers use locally manufactured, inefficient pump sets for irrigation due to their affordability. These pump sets not only waste energy but also contribute to water wastage. Given the availability of heavily subsidized water and electricity for agriculture, there is a need to incentivize farmers to adopt more energy-efficient technologies. In India the potential for allocation of energy efficient agricultural pumps stands at approximately 2.1 crore. The primary objective of the AgDSM program, led by EESL, is to replace these inefficient agricultural pump sets across India with BEE 5-Star rated pump sets. Importantly, this replacement is done at no upfront cost to the farmers. The program aims to recover the associated costs by leveraging the reduction of state government subsidies over a period of 5-10 years.
What role does the Building Energy Efficiency Program play in enhancing energy efficiency in commercial and public buildings in India?
The Government of India issued an instruction to all Departments and Ministries in August 2017 to ensure all the buildings become energy efficient. In line with the govt’s vision, EESL’s Building Energy Efficiency Program (BEEP) came into play as a crucial initiative for enhancing energy efficiency within commercial and public buildings in India. The programme uses a multifaceted approach which includes energy auditing and assessments, identifying areas of inefficiency and providing tailored solutions to optimize energy utilization. Simultaneously, the program establishes stringent energy efficiency standards and benchmarks, championing best practices across building design, construction, and day-to-day operations. Under the BEEP initiative, EESL is transforming commercial as well as government buildings in India into energy efficient complexes by retrofitting appliances in these building with energy efficient alternatives. Through these future ready solutions, we have completed building energy efficiency projects in 12,710 buildings including
Railway stations and Airports. The major interventions in these buildings are in the area of lighting and air-conditioning systems. Furthermore, EESL is also supporting the Smart Cities Mission, where we are actively involved in implementing energy-efficient solutions in urban development projects. This includes the deployment of energy-efficient street lighting, building retrofits, and smart metering solutions.
Are there any notable case studies or success stories from the BEEP initiative that showcase its impact on reducing energy consumption and operating costs for businesses?
The National Productivity Council (NPC) assessed Energy Efficiency Measures implemented by EESL in PWD buildings in Maharashtra. Specifically, NPC assessed 57 randomly selected buildings from these 18 Electrical Divisions in Phase-II: Quarter-3 (June to August 2021). According to the evaluation, EESL's BEEP initiative has proven to be highly efficient, resulting in energy savings in the range of 21 per cent to 51 per cent. The extent of savings varies depending on factors such as equipment type, quantity, and usage hours. On average, this initiative has achieved a substantial 38 per cent reduction in energy consumption across government departments and non- residential buildings. Consequently, these buildings are collectively saving 3.81 million kWh of energy annually, leading to estimated annual cost savings of Rs 3.05 crore. This study demonstrates the tangible impact of EESL's Building Energy Efficiency Programme.
