Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

CESL Achieves Milestone, Distributes 50 Lakh LED Bulb to Rural India

Gram Ujala scheme is being implemented in rural households in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
December 28, 2021
CESL
Picture Credit- Energy Efficiency Services Limited

Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a subsidiary of state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture of public sector companies under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has achieved a remarkable milestone of distributing 50 lakhs LED bulbs under Project Crore of their Gram Ujala programme.

The Gram Ujala scheme is being implemented in the rural households in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.

CESL the initiative under the leadership of Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, in March 2021. On National Energy Conservation Day 2021 this month, CESL achieved distributing 10 lakh bulbs in a single day.

CESL is providing high-quality 7-Watt and 12-Watt LED bulbs with 3 years guarantee at a cost of INR 10 per bulb in exchange for working incandescent bulbs. Every household can exchange a maximum of 5 bulbs. The distribution has resulted in energy savings of 71,99,68,373.28 units per year with cost savings of 250 crores per year in the rural areas of the aforementioned states. The programme is active till March 31, 2022.

Speaking on this achievement, Ms. Mahua Acharya, MD & CEO, CESL said that this programme is to ensure holistic development of the rural ecosystem. Under the leadership of Shri R K Singh Ji, CESL is constantly working towards providing better illumination in the rural parts of five states. Working on the same financial model of carbon credits, we will be expanding this to rural parts of other states upon completion of Project Crore, she added

Ken Newcombe, Chief Executive Officer, C- Quest Capital said that using carbon finance as the means to achieve energy efficiency in rural India is a powerful use of carbon markets. Doing this at scale is tremendous. Today’s 50 lac milestone is an important marker in this admirable program of the government of India which we are proud to co-finance and facilitate.

CESL is supported by C-Quest Capital in the entire distribution journey under the SHINE programme.

CESL is also working towards enabling battery-powered electric mobility and its infrastructure and design business models to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in India.

What is the Gram Ujala scheme?

Gram Ujala was launched by the Union minister of power and new and renewable energy RK Singh in March this year, in an attempt to raise awareness against climate change and to save electricity. “The move will save 2025 million kilowatts of energy per year,” Singh said during the launch of the scheme.

According to a report published on Live Hindustan, this will save 2025 million units (kWh) of electricity annually, while there will also be a reduction in carbon emissions by 16.5 lakh tons per annum. This will provide better lighting in homes at a cheaper rate.