ujala-scheme

CONTEXT

UJALA scheme has completed 7 years of energy efficient and foldable LED distribution

ABOUT THE SCHEME

  • UJALA Scheme for energy efficiency:The scheme was launched by the government in 2015-Unnat Jyoti under the Affordable LED for All (UJALA) program. Under UJALA scheme, LED bulbs, LED Tube lights and Energy efficient fans are being provide to domestic consumers for replacement of conventional and inefficient variant
  • Implementation of the scheme:EESL has embraced norms of transparency in all its operations. The procurement of LEDs is done through an open e-bidding process and the information about the program is disseminated through a website which monitors the real time progress of the UJALA scheme. 
    • The site also provides information about the places where these bulbs are made available, quality control measures and results of independent verification of savings done from time to time
    • The nodal organisation, EESL, was tasked to set up phase-wise LED distribution centers across the country to distribute affordable LED bulbs, tube lights and fans on either upfront basis or through on-bill financing.

Objectives of the scheme

  • To promote efficient lighting
  • Enhance awareness on using efficient equipment which reduces electricity bills and helps to preserve the environment.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE SCHEME

  • The world’s largest zero subsidy domestic lighting programme: it has helped to address the concerns like high electrification cost and high emissions that result from inefficient lighting.
    • Currently,more than 36.78 crore LEDs have been distributed across the country.
  • Focus on energy efficiency:the strategic approach to energy efficiency has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people
  • Reduction in price: the scheme has succeeded in bringing down the retail price of LED bulbs from Rs. 300-350 per bulb to Rs. 70-80 per bulb.
    • The cost of LED bulb has come by down by 85 % under the scheme
  • Energy savings:The programme has also resulted in massive energy savings apart from making affordable energy accessible to all
  • Boosting economic growth:It has helped in reducing annual household electricity bills. Consumers have been able to save money which has helped to improve their quality of life thereby contributing to India’s economic growth and prosperity.
  • Enhancing process efficiency:the government has ensured transparency and encouraged competition by e-procurement of goods and services under the programme
    • It has resulted in significant reduction in transaction cost and time, enhancing process efficiency. 
    • It has also led to a much larger pool of bidders, enhanced quality of the product and availability of better specifications for the consumers.
    • Leveraging increased industry competition and mass procurement, EESL has adopted an innovative procurement strategy which resulted in well-known benefits  and is now known as the USP of Program Ujala.
  • Environmental benefits: it has been instrumental in delivering significant environmental benefits.9,565 MW of peak demand has been avoided, along with 3,86 crore tonnes of reduction in CO2 emissions.
  • Consumer awareness:it has also helped in enhancing consumer awareness on financial and environmental benefits associated with energy efficiency.
  • Impetus to the domestic lighting industry:It encourages Make in India as domestic manufacturing of LED bulbs has increased from 1 lakh per month to 40 million per month

CHALLENGES

  • Focus on quality: even as the universalization of electricity reaches its end point there is a need to shift the focus from power to all to better quality of supply, improve customer services, end user monitoring and enhanced cost savings at the household level
  • Cooperative federalism: as the electricity falls under the concurrent list both centre and state need to strive towards streamlining their efforts like measures against the power theft attempts and illegal tapping of the lines
  • Issues faced by DISCOMs: the poor financial health of several DISCOMs due to wide range of issues plaguing the sector like low collection, increasing cost of power purchase need an urgent redressal

OTHER SUCH SCHEMES

  • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY): the scheme was launched in 2014 to provide continuous power supply to entire rural India with special focus on feeder separation and strengthening of sub transmission and distribution infrastructure including meeting at all levels in the rural areas
  • Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya Scheme): the scheme was launched in 2017 with the aim to achieve universal household electrification.Under the scheme, electricity connections to all households in rural areas and poor families in urban areas were provided

WAY FORWARD

  • Electricity is a key element in modern day life. Right from powering industrial units and running irrigation pumps to charging our mobile phones, electricity does it all
  • Access to reliable and affordable energy increases the ease of living and generates employment powering the development of the country
  • It is a prerequisite to digital connectivity especially in rural India thereby opening new vistas for the people hitherto unconnected to the outer world
  • The focus on renewable energy to change the process of energy mix would help in making India's electricity clean and green

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