CSE rings the alarm bell on CFLs

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has called for a tightening of regulatory controls on compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which have seen a massive increase in penetration in the country despite their higher costs.

According to CSE, these energy-efficient CFLs need to have better power efficiency, as well as longevity. They should also have lower mercury levels and the process for their safe disposal should be clearly defined.

The aggressive programmes of states like Himachal Pradesh — a fully electrified state which is in the process of procuring 6.4 million CFLs to be distributed free to households — and Haryana, where the district of Sirsa has become the first to switch completely to CFL-based lighting, have ensured that that the country's CFL penetration is increasing fast.

According to one estimate, about 165 million CFLs were sold in India in 2007, which is about half of what was sold in the US.

"The introduction of energy-efficient appliances like CFLs are critical elements of our energy security and climate change strategy. But what will be key to the success of the CFL programme is the regulatory and enforcement systems we put into place to ensure the power quality of the appliance, as well as the system for management and disposal of mercury," said CSE Director Sunita Narain.

CFLs are rapidly replacing the incandescent bulbs that most homes typically had, even in those areas which are not connected to the power grid at all. A consumer in Delhi can save up to Rs 300 a year by using a 15-watt CFL instead of a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

According to CSE data, if 400 million bulbs are replaced by CFLs, there would be a saving of Rs 14,000 crore, or enough to fund a 3,500 Mw power plant.

The Bureau of Standards has revised the standards for CFLs in November 2008 — increasing the power factor (which measures the efficiency of a lamp) from 0.50 to 0.85 and fixing a minimum life of 6,000 hours for all CFLs.

Though these standards should have come into effect from January 1, 2009, there "is strong industry pressure to push back the regulations for another six months," said a statement from the Centre.

CSE is in favour of increasing the minimum life to 10,000 hours, ensuring strict standards for mercury use in these lamps, controlling the entry of poor quality chinese CFLs and putting in place a proper system for disposal or recycling of CFLs.