UJALA Scheme : Completed a Decade
The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched in 2015, has completed a decade with the distribution of 36.87 crore LED bulbs, resulting in ₹19,153 crore in annual electricity savings, according to official data released by the Ministry of Power.
- In 2015, the Indian government introduced the UJALA scheme, which is also known as the LED-based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), to promote energy efficiency in all households.
- The UJALA scheme is the world’s largest zero-subsidy LED lamp distribution scheme.
- It is implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power.
- Through the UJALA scheme, the government aims to save 85 lakh kWh of electricity and 15,000 tonnes of CO2 by replacing 77 crore traditional bulbs & CFLs and 3.5 crore streetlights with LEDs.
- Every domestic household having a metered connection from their respective Electricity Distribution Company is eligible to get the LED bulbs under the UJALA Scheme.
- The consumer can purchase the LED on EMI payment (monthly/bimonthly instalments in the electricity bill) or on upfront payment by paying the full amount.
- As part of its inclusive growth strategy to enable growth in lower-income communities, EESL has also enrolled Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for the distribution of LED bulbs under the UJALA programme.
- The annual energy savings from the scheme stand at 47,883 million kWh, with a reduction in peak demand by 9,586 MW and an annual reduction of 3.87 crore tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.
- These savings were achieved through e-procurement and bulk purchasing, which allowed LED bulbs to be made affordable for millions of households.
- UJALA succeeded in bringing down the retail price of LED bulbs from INR 300-350 per bulb to INR 70-80 per bulb.
