On January 05 2025, the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for All (UJALA) scheme, a transformative initiative of Government of India (GoI) in energy efficiency and Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) have completed 10 years of successful implementation.
- Both programmes were launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 5th January, 2015.
- The UJALA scheme is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power (MoP).
About UJALA Scheme:
i.It was originally introduced as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), and later rebranded as UJALA. It aimed at providing affordable energy-efficient LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to millions of Indian homes.
ii.Over the last 10 years, UJALA has emerged as the world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting programme, exemplifying India’s commitment to reducing energy consumption, enhancing environmental awareness, and promoting economic efficiency.
Significance of LED bulbs Compared to ICL and CFL:
i.LED bulbs helps in saving nearly 90% of energy compared to Incandescent Lamps (ICLs) and 50% in the case of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).
ii.LED bulbs consumes less energy compared to ICLs and CFLs, for example: 1 LED bulb consumes only 1 unit of electricity when operated for 140 hours (hrs) whereas a CFL and ICL consume 2 units and 9 units respectively for the same time period.
iii.The scheme offers LED bulbs at reduced rates of Rs 70 per bulb compared to Rs 450 to Rs 500 per bulb (2014), has further helped in reducing household consumption and contributed to environmental sustainability.
iv.The annual cost ownership of LEDs stands at Rs 12, which is less than 33% of a CFL (Rs 40) and merely 10% of an ICL (Rs 108).
Key Accomplishments of UJALA Scheme:
i.As of January 06 2025, 36.87 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the scheme, resulting in Rs 19,153 crore annually in electrical savings.
ii.So far, 407.92 crore LED bulbs have been sold across the Indian market under the UJALA scheme.
iii.The peak demand of 9,586 MegaWatt (MW) of electricity has been avoided.
iv.It also helped in reducing the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions by 3.87 crore tonnes annually.
v.So far, 47,883 million (approximately 48 billion) kilowatt-hour (kWh) energy has been saved annually.
About Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP):
i.It was introduced as part of Government of India (GoI)’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Aim: To reduce energy consumption and operational costs for public lighting by replacing conventional street lamps with LED lights in urban and rural areas.
ii.The programme is being implemented by EESL. It has collaborated with governing bodies like: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Municipal bodies, Gram Panchayats (GPs) and both central and state governments for the implementation of programme.
iii.The programme operates a unique business model where EESL funds the projects upfront and recoups costs through annuity payments made by municipalities.
- It also ensures the maintenance of the LED streetlights, providing more than 95% uptime.
Key Accomplishments of SLNP:
i.As of January 06 2025, more than 1.34 crore LED streetlights have been installed across ULBs and GPs in the country.
ii.The installation of LED streetlights led to significant energy savings of over 9,001 Million Units (MU)of electricity annually.
iii.Reduction in peak demand by over 1,500 MW and a decrease in CO2 emissions by 6.2 million tonnes annually.
About Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL):
It is a joint venture company of 4 power sector Public Sector Units (PSUs): NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited.
Chairman- K.S. Sundaram
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 2009
About Ministry of Power (MoP):
Union Minister- Manohar Lal Khattar (Constituency- Karnal, Haryana)
