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UJALA scheme completes 10 years, saves ?19,153 crore annually

UJALA Scheme (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All)

• Launch Date: 5th January 2015 by PM Narendra Modi
• Objective:
  • To promote energy-efficient LED lighting across India
  • To reduce energy consumption, lower electricity bills, and decrease carbon emissions
• Implementing Body: Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), Ministry of Power
• Scheme Relevance: Aims to provide affordable LED bulbs, tube lights, and fans to every household
• Global Recognition: World’s largest zero-subsidy domestic lighting scheme

Key Features:

• Affordability: Subsidized LED bulbs (?70-80), reducing the cost of electricity for households
• Energy Efficiency: LEDs consume 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, 50% less than CFLs
• Environmental Impact: Significant reduction in CO? emissions by avoiding millions of tonnes annually
• Market Transformation: Over 36.87 crore LED bulbs distributed, saving approximately ?19,153 crore on electricity bills each year
• Consumer Benefit:
  • On-Bill Financing: LED bulbs available for purchase through deferred payment via electricity bills
  • Targeted low-income communities through Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

Achievements:

• Energy Savings: 47.9 billion kWh annually
• Cost Savings: ?19,153 crore saved on electricity bills
• Carbon Emission Reduction: 38.7 million tonnes of CO? avoided per year
• Peak Demand Reduction: 9,586 MW reduction in peak electricity demand
• Street Lighting: Over 1.34 crore LED streetlights installed, saving 9,001 million units annually

Key Initiatives:

• GRAM UJALA Scheme (March 2021): Aimed at rural households, providing LED bulbs at ?10 each
• Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP): Aimed at reducing public lighting costs with energy-efficient streetlights
• Encouraging Domestic Manufacturing: Stimulated local LED production, aligning with the "Make in India" mission
• E-Procurement Transparency: Real-time procurement ensuring price reductions and maintaining quality

Impact on Environment:

• Energy Savings & Carbon Footprint: The scheme significantly reduced the carbon footprint by promoting energy-efficient appliances
• Reduction in Household Consumption: Consumers benefit from reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills