Jharkhand Vidhyut Vitaran Nigam limited (JVVNl) has planned to reach out to around 7.80 lakh of its total domestic consumers by giving energy efficient lED bulbs to replace power guzzling traditional ones. The consumers would be covered during the first phase of the programme that is going to be launched on November 15.
“We are getting ready to roll out the programme initially in three towns—Ranchi, Deoghar and Hazaribagh from November 15. As per estimate, nearly 7.80 lakh domestic consumers can be covered in the first phase that would spread into 37 more towns by March 2016. Any consumer can purchase maximum 10 lED bulbs of 9 watt capacity at much cheaper rate than their current market price,” said JVVNl Managing Director Rahul Purwar.
Officials of the power distribution company informed that each lED bulb would cost below Rs 100 which is much lower than its market price hovering over Rs 400. In addition to that the consumer would be given options to pay.
“They can make upfront payment or may also opt for EMI kind of thing which would be added to their monthly energy bills,” added the Managing Director. However, attaching the cost of the bulbs into the bill needs prior permission of Jharkhand State Energy Regulatory Commission (JSERC).
Ahead of availing the scheme, the willing consumers have to make themselves enrolled for it with the JVVNl and based on that a list of beneficiaries would be prepared.
“Best thing of this initiative is that the State Government does not need to bear any cost coming on the lED bulbs. It is being done under the Centre’s Domestic Efficient lighting Programme (DElP) which is meant for power conservation at domestic as well as commercial fronts,” said an official.
Under DElP, the Government procures lED bulbs through competitive bidding and provides those to consumers at much competitive rates.
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal had recently revealed that the price of lED bulb can come down to Rs 44 per unit under bulk purchases through competitive bidding. latest round of bidding has realised a price as low as Rs 74 a piece.
Energy Efficiency Services limited (EESl), a joint venture of power majors such as NTPC, NHPC and other PSUs of Ministry Power, would be taking care of all the exercises in the State. This would purchase of lED bulbs in bulk from qualified companies and supply it to the State run power companies.
“Idea behind is that reduced energy consumption would save lots of power and that would fill in as cost of the bulbs. It is estimated that by introducing the programme 80-90 per cent reduction in power consumption can be achieved as far as lighting is concerned,” said Purwar.
The JVVNl after kick starting the first phase is planning to take the programme up to 26 lakh consumers across the State. “We will reach up to 40 towns by March 2016 and are planning to cover all the rural households in the next financial year. Counters can be opened at electricity department offices from where any consumer can purchase lED bulbs to replace incandescent bulbs and CFls,” said the JVVNl MD.