UJALA Scheme Marks 10 Years
ECONOMY & POLICY

UJALA Scheme Marks 10 Years

The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched in January 2015, has celebrated its 10th anniversary, having distributed 36.87 crore LED bulbs, resulting in Rs 191.53 billion in annual electricity savings, according to official data from the Ministry of Power.

The scheme, which is run by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, has facilitated the sale of 407.92 crore LED bulbs across India. The initiative offers LED bulbs at discounted rates of Rs 70, compared to their previous market price of Rs 450-500, leading to significant reductions in household electricity consumption and contributing to environmental sustainability.

The scheme has achieved annual energy savings of 47,883 million kWh, reduced peak demand by 9,586 MW, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3.87 crore tonnes annually. These results were made possible through e-procurement and bulk purchasing, which allowed for affordable access to LED bulbs for millions of households.

Alongside UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), launched in 2015, has led to the installation of 1.34 crore LED streetlights in urban and rural areas, saving 9,001 million kWh annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 6.2 million tonnes.

The SLNP operates on a business model where EESL funds the projects upfront and recoups costs via annuity payments from municipalities. This allows for the installation of energy-efficient streetlights without substantial upfront investment from local authorities.

Officials from the Ministry of Power noted that UJALA and SLNP have collectively transformed energy efficiency across India, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

The Ministry emphasised that these initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of government-driven programmes in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions while promoting sustainability. The success of UJALA continues to influence global energy efficiency policies, with several countries adopting similar models inspired by its outcomes.

Redefine the future of urban mobility! Join us at the Metro Rail Conference 2025 to explore groundbreaking ideas and insights. 👉 Register today!

The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched in January 2015, has celebrated its 10th anniversary, having distributed 36.87 crore LED bulbs, resulting in Rs 191.53 billion in annual electricity savings, according to official data from the Ministry of Power. The scheme, which is run by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, has facilitated the sale of 407.92 crore LED bulbs across India. The initiative offers LED bulbs at discounted rates of Rs 70, compared to their previous market price of Rs 450-500, leading to significant reductions in household electricity consumption and contributing to environmental sustainability. The scheme has achieved annual energy savings of 47,883 million kWh, reduced peak demand by 9,586 MW, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3.87 crore tonnes annually. These results were made possible through e-procurement and bulk purchasing, which allowed for affordable access to LED bulbs for millions of households. Alongside UJALA, the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), launched in 2015, has led to the installation of 1.34 crore LED streetlights in urban and rural areas, saving 9,001 million kWh annually and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 6.2 million tonnes. The SLNP operates on a business model where EESL funds the projects upfront and recoups costs via annuity payments from municipalities. This allows for the installation of energy-efficient streetlights without substantial upfront investment from local authorities. Officials from the Ministry of Power noted that UJALA and SLNP have collectively transformed energy efficiency across India, reinforcing the country’s commitment to sustainable development and climate change mitigation. The Ministry emphasised that these initiatives demonstrate the effectiveness of government-driven programmes in reducing energy costs and carbon emissions while promoting sustainability. The success of UJALA continues to influence global energy efficiency policies, with several countries adopting similar models inspired by its outcomes.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Anji Khad Bridge, India's First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge Ready in J&K

Indian Railways has completed the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. A critical component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, this engineering marvel connects Katra and Reasi, promising enhanced regional connectivity and economic growth.Spanning 725.5 metres, the bridge features a 193-metre-tall main pylon, soaring 331 metres above the riverbed. Its design allows it to withstand wind speeds of up to 213 km/h and safely support train operations at speeds of 100 km/h.Constructed in th..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Exporters Raise Logistics Costs Concerns with Piyush Goyal

Exporters and freight agencies have voiced concerns over high terminal handling charges at ports and the underutilisation of dry ports, adding to India’s overall logistics costs. During a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, they highlighted that the fees charged by shipping terminals for container storage and positioning before loading exceed port charges by Rs 10,000-15,000 per consignment. The discussion focused on logistics and shipping challenges, with the government actively working to reduce costs across the supply chain, according to an official. India is targe..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Government to Revamp UDAN Scheme with Focus on Airport Readiness

The Indian government is set to revamp its regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), by prioritising airport readiness before inviting airlines to bid for operating routes. Financial support for the development of unserved airports and airstrips across the country is expected to be a key focus in the upcoming budget, along with stricter assessments of route feasibility, according to sources. Launched in 2017 to boost air travel in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market, the UDAN scheme caps airfares and provides subsidies to airlines for operating on less frequen..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000