7 January 2025 : PIB Summary For UPSC
1. UJALA: 10 Years of Energy-Efficient Lighting
(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2090639®=3&lang=1 )
| Context |
|
Introduction and Purpose of UJALA
- Initially known as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), it later became UJALA, focusing on energy conservation, reducing electrification costs, and cutting carbon emissions.
- Over the last decade, more than 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed, making India the world’s largest zero-subsidy lighting program.
Need for UJALA and Energy Efficiency
- Traditional lighting systems in India consumed excessive electricity, leading to high costs for consumers. LEDs, offering significant energy savings compared to CFLs and ICLs, were identified as a key solution.
- Prior to UJALA, LED bulbs were expensive, with retail prices ranging from Rs 450-500, making them inaccessible to many.
- Under UJALA, LED bulbs were made available at a subsidized rate of Rs 70 per bulb, drastically reducing the cost and increasing adoption across households.
- LED bulbs use significantly less electricity, consuming just 1 unit for 140 hours, compared to 2 units for CFLs and 9 units for ICLs, resulting in lower energy bills.
UJALA’s Achievements and Impact
- As of 6th January 2025, UJALA has distributed over 36.87 crore LED bulbs, contributing to major reductions in energy consumption and electricity bills for millions of households.
- The program has increased transparency and efficiency through e-procurement and competitive bidding, reducing costs and enhancing market competition.
- Beyond economic savings, the scheme has helped India reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to the nation’s goals of energy conservation and climate change mitigation.
Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)
- Launched on the same day as UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) aimed to replace conventional streetlights with LED lights, reducing energy consumption and operational costs for municipalities.
- EESL, the implementing agency, collaborated with urban and rural local bodies to execute the program, relieving municipalities from upfront investment costs through a unique business model.
- By January 2025, SLNP had installed over 1.34 crore LED streetlights, saving 9,001 million units of electricity annually, reducing peak demand by 1,500 MW, and cutting CO₂ emissions by 6.2 million tonnes per year.
Conclusion
- UJALA and SLNP together exemplify the impact of government initiatives in promoting energy efficiency, reducing energy costs, and mitigating environmental damage.
- These programs have transformed India’s lighting sector, helping households and municipalities save costs while fostering a sustainable, energy-efficient future.
| Practice Question: Other than economic savings, discuss the environmental and social impacts of the UJALA scheme and the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) in India. (150 Words /10 marks) |
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out 6 January 2025 : PIB Summary For UPSC
