EESL to replicate success of LED scheme for air conditioners

After successful transformation of the LED bulb market in the country through the UJALA scheme, state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) is now keen to replicate it for air conditioners.
5.2) higher than 5-star rating," an EESL statement said.
The workshop was attended by leading manufacturers, USAID, World Bank, Facility owners, Energy Service Companies and Banks with an aim to leap-frog and accelerate the introduction of super-efficient air conditioners in the Indian market.
As a result of the workshop, leading manufacturers like Voltas, Blue Star, Godrej, Daikin, Whirlpool & Panasonic pledged their support to develop and deploy super-efficient cooling systems in their complexes and facilities. They also endorsed the Global Advanced Cooling Challenge proposed by the Department of Energy, USA, it said.

This endorsement indicates that they will define specific commitment actions that will be featured on the AC Challenge website and will track these commitments through the duration of the AC Challenge, it added.
The increasing demand for air conditioners poses a challenge to electricity grids, which are already struggling to satisfy existing demand, it stated.

As per a recent study by International Energy Agency (IEA), the penetration of ACs will rise from 5 per cent to 70 per cent by 2040.
Also, ownership of appliances in domestic households in the same period is likely to increase from 14 to 44 per cent. This would require additional capacity of 165 GW, it said.

Speaking at the meet, EESL Managing Director Saurabh Kumar said, "We all agree that ACs are the primary reason for high peak demand. Super-efficient ACs need to be introduced which can reduce consumer energy bills and energy demand by 30 per cent."
Till date, EESL has saved 2,528 crore kWh annually through their flagship programmes UJALA and Street Lighting National Programme.
The company has successfully distributed close to 20 crore LED bulbs and have retrofitted over 15 lakh LED street lights across India.
5.2 (higher than 5-star rating) will be made available to public at low prices.
Extending the UJALA programme, EESL now offers a unique proposition for Energy Service Companies who execute energy efficiency projects in facilities and complexes. ESCOs can now avail LED bulbs, tubelights and fans at a reasonable price for their projects, it added.