Chandigarh has outperformed Punjab – having 97% more electricity consumers — in sale of energy saving LED bulbs, tubelights and fans under the Unnat Jyoti Affordable LEDs for All (Ujala) scheme of the central government.
According to official records, there are as many as 2.15 lakh electricity consumers, in Chandigarh of which, 1.75 lakh fall in the domestic category, while Punjab has around 70 lakh consumers comprising approximate 56 lakh domestic, 3 lakh industrial and 11 lakh agricultural connections.
According to record of Union ministry of power, a total of 3.22 lakh LED bulbs, 34,598 tubelights and 11,752 fans have been distributed among the consumers in Chandigarh at subsidised rates till October 21. In Punjab, only 2.76 lakh LED bulbs, 15,706 tubelights and 6,920 fans have been distributed.
As many as 3.22 lakh LED bulbs will help Chandigarh in saving 41,891 MWh of energy every year. So far, it will bring down the power purchase cost by Rs 17 crore every year and 8 MW of peak power demand. In Punjab, 2.76 lakh LED bulbs will help in saving 35973 MWh of energy and bring down power purchase cost by Rs 14 crore and 7 MW of peak power demand.
With 34,598 consumers purchasing LED tubelights, Chandigarh will save 15, 53,392 kWh per year. It will also help the power department save Rs 51.52 lakh per year. Meanwhile, with 11,752 fans the department is saving 4,554 kWh of power every day and power cost of Rs 15, 483 per day.
In Punjab, only 15,706 consumers have opted for LED tubelights which will help the state government save 6,87,923 KWh and Rs 23.38 lakh per year. With 6,920 consumers opting for power saving fans, the state government is saving 2682 kWh per day and power cost of Rs 9117 per day.
Under the scheme in Chandigarh, which was launched on March 6 by local MP Kirron Kher, at total of 39 centres have been set up across the city from where consumers can buy 4 LED bulbs (9watt), 2 LED tubes (20watt) and 1fan (50watt). In Punjab, centres have been setup in a total of 23 districts, of which 13 districts there has been no sale of LED bulbs, tubelights and fans till October 21.
