LED bulb project is an instant hit

Visakhapatnam: The LED bulb distribution within the AP Eastern Power Distribution Corporation Limited's (APEPDCL) jurisdiction seems to have struck the right chord with the electricity consumers as about 93 per cent distribution is already complete. The flagship initiative was taken up collaboratively by the APEPDCL and the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) to supply low-energy lighting for the consumers with a financial sense a few months ago.

Launched under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), about 74 lakh bulbs were distributed as of Wednesday in two Godavari districts, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. In Visakhapatnam district, the distribution was formally launched in October 2015 and so far 8.4 lakh consumers out of about 10 lakh domestic consumers were supplied with about 16.8 LED bulbs.

Power consumers of Vizianagaram district had received 8,49,320 bulbs while the domestic consumer base is about 4, 24,759. Speaking to this correspondent, chief general manager (commercial), APEPDCL, B. Ramesh Prasad, informed that the LED bulbs have made massive inroads into the households of power consumers.

“Hundred per cent distributions will be completed by the end of March, which would help the APEPDCL save millions of units every year. This initiative would also be a lesser burden on the consumer’s pocket,” Mr Prasad added. Under the DELP scheme, two LED bulbs of 9W capacity worth '600 in the open market are distributed at a nominal price of Rs 10 each to the households. Once 100 per cent distribution is achieved, the officials expect that these LED bulbs can save at least 400 million units of electricity per annum in these five districts.

In Srikakulam district, the reach has been more than 100 per cent with 5,32,000 domestic consumers getting 10,65,201 bulbs from the authorities. Same was the case with the West Godavari with surpassing the targeted distribution. In East Godavari, about 22,13,852 bulbs were supplied for the 12,22,000 consumers. It is noteworthy to mention here that the LED streetlight project has already become a huge success with the GVMC, saving 40-45 per cent on the electricity bills of GVMC.