State ranks second in LED bulb distribution in country

Maharashtra has ranked second in the country in distribution of LED bulbs as part of country-wide campaign for reducing power consumption, said a senior official.
"Gujarat tops the list followed by Maharashtra in LED bulb distribution. Gujarat has distributed 2.70 crore LED bulbs till December 12 this year from the date of its launch, earlier this year. On the other hand, Maharashtra has distributed 2,00,99,730 LED bulbs so far," Deepak Kokate, Regional Manager of Maharashtra state unit of Energy Efficiency Services Limited told PTI.
On actual reduction in power demand, the Regional Manager said, "The demand has gone down by 520 MW permanently for domestic consumption after the LED bulbs replaced the existing bulbs. It is almost equivalent to a power generating unit's capacity. If more people shift to LED bulbs, the power demand will reduce further and saved power can be used for other better purposes."

EESL is a joint venture company of PSUs of union ministry of power, which is nodal agency for distribution of LEDs across the country.
"Pune district has reported maximum demand for the LED bulbs, where 32 lakh units have been distributed so far. Nagpur district is on the second position with distribution of 13.5 lakh LED bulbs. Other major cities in the state such as Aurangabad and Kolhapur have reported distribution of 7.30 lakh and 11.50 lakh LED bulbs," Kokate said.
"There has been a good response to the scheme as LED bulbs consume less power and generate good amount of light as compared to the bulbs earlier used in the market. The total target of the state is of distribution of 3 crore LED bulbs," said the officer.

Compared to other cities, only eight lakh LED bulbs have been distributed in Mumbai, the state capital, he said. "Maharashtra State electricity distribution company does not have any presence in Mumbai market. The three companies that are into power distribution in the island city joined union government's LED bulb drive almost eight months later. Hence, the numbers are still on a lower side," said the official.
He added, "Also, most houses in Mumbai have tube-lights fitted and there was no connection or holders for fitting of the bulbs. Hence, the response from city is comparatively lower.