R.K. Singh, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Power & New and Renewable Energy, launched the GRAM UJALA programme in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on March 24, 2021.
Under this program Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), will distribute high quality LED bulbs, at an affordable cost of Rs.10 per bulb in rural areas of Varanasi.
Phase-1 targets 1.5 crore LED bulbs
Under Phase-1 of GRAM UJALA programme 1 crore 50 lakh LED bulbs will be distributed. This can result in potential annual energy savings of 2025 million kwh per year and CO2 reductions of 1.65 million tonnes.
Singh congratulated CESL for its new initiative under which it will provide affordable and high-quality LEDs to the rural population. He also appreciated Uttar Pradesh government for electrification of every village in the state in nearly four years after signing the ambitious ‘Power for All’ agreement with the Centre, a release by CESL said.
Ujala and Gram Ujala
Under EESL’s UJALA scheme, 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed and 1 crore 15 lakh streetlights have been replaced with LED lights across the country resulting in energy savings of thousands of megawatts.
Now the GRAM UJALA scheme is being launched for rural households where LED bulbs will be distributed at an affordable price of Rs.10 per bulb. The scheme has crossed 6,150 distribution mark in Arrah, Bihar within two days of launch.
How it works
Under GRAM UJALA, 7-watt and 12-watt LED bulbs with 3-year warranty will be given to rural consumers against submission of working incandescent bulbs. The GRAM UJALA programme will be implemented only in villages of the five districts where consumers can exchange a maximum of five LED bulbs. These rural households will also have meters installed in their houses to monitor numbers of hours of usage. Carbon credits will be prepared under the Shine Program of Activities with an option for verifying under the Voluntary Carbon Standard, depending on the needs of buyers.
Featured photograph shows R.K. Singh, Union power minister flanked by Rajeev Sharma, Chairman, EESL (in tie) and Alok Kumar, Secretary, Union power ministry.
