The Centre’s Domestic Efficient lighting Programme will result in savings of up to $6.5 billion annually through energy efficiency and also help reduce carbon dioxide emission by 80 million tonnes (MT), Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.
“Energy efficiency has been a serious priority of this Government. In fact, it has more potential than any other programme. The lED programme can lead to a $6.5 billion savings and reduction of 80 MT carbon dioxide emission per year,” Goyal said at the India Today Conclave.
The Government initiated the Domestic Efficient lighting Programme (DElP) last year under which it has already provided over 7.9 crore lED bulbs to families through power distribution companies through an EMI of Rs10 per month per each bulb. The discoms add the EMI to consumers’ electricity bills. Through bulk tendering, the Government has reduced the procurement price of these lED bulbs to Rs64.41 in January 2016 from the market rate of Rs310 in February 2014.
Goyal, who also holds the portfolio of New and Renewable Energy, said the Government will achieve its target to electrify 18,452 villages within the set deadline.