Self-help groups to sell LED to 25 lakh homes in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: LED bulbs, tube lights and fans will be able available for sale at the doorstep.  The GHMC through self-help groups will sell one crore LED bulbs to 25 lakh households if a plan goes through. This is being done to save  energy consumption and power charges to the tune of Rs 500 crore annually. With LED bulbs and tubelights in place, it is expected that the city will save 130 crore units of power, equivalent to releasing 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year, a GHMC official said. “The project to sell LED bulbs and tubelights at the doorstep tested in the east zone of the GHMC. Based on the results,  this scheme will be implemented in all the zones,” said Hyderabad Mayor Bondhu Rammohan.

He said the main aim was ensure each household was sold four LED bulbs and tubelights and five-star rated fans at a subsidy. “With LED lights, nearly 50 per cent of the power bills can be reduced with more effective and brighter lighting. The GHMC and EESL opened counters at circle offices and the head office two months ago to sell the LED bulbs and fans at subsidy and it had a very good response,” he said. As many as 20 lakh LED bulbs were sold in these counters.

For greater coverage, the GHMC is planning to involve 4.5 lakh SHGs. Each woman will earn Rs 10 per LED light, Rs 12 for a tubelights and Rs 102 per fan sold. Energy Efficiency Services Limited is a joint venture of NTPC, Power Finance Corporation, Rural Electrification Corporation and Powergrid.