Large-scale LED use saves over 100 mu power in Varanasi: EESL

An estimated power saving of more than 100 million units per year has been achieved here by replacing conventional lighting systems with LED bulbs, according to the PSU entrusted with the central government job.
"The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme was launched in Varanasi on June 8, 2015. Since then, nearly 8.97 lakh LED bulbs have been distributed, resulting in estimated energy savings of over 116.5 million units per year," Tarun Tayal, Additional General Manager of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), told PTI here.
Tayal was here earlier this week to take stock of installation of 'heritage street lights' and lighting of heritage buildings in Varanasi, which was inspected by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was on a trip to the city on December 22.

One of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi has been attracting visitors from across the globe and from all walks of life.
In dire need of modern infrastructure, the city has been receiving renewed focus ever since it became the parliamentary constituency of the Prime Minister.
Notably, Modi had stressed on the need for bringing "LED revolution" in Varanasi which would "reduce municipal power bills and the money so saved could be spent on bringing about cleanliness, which is another crying need of this ancient city".

"We have completed replacement of conventional lights with LED ones at all the 84 ghats. This includes replacing 720 high mast and mini mast lights with warm white LED flood lights which has resulted in a remarkable load reduction -- from 466 kw to 138 kw," Tayal said.

"We have also completed installation of 25,352 LED street lights across the city. Power consumption for this number of conventional street lights would have been 3,725, but LED technology has helped keep it less than half of that - only 1611 kw."
The agency has undertaken installation of facade lighting for nearly a dozen heritage buildings along the ghats.
"Work is in progress at 10 other heritage buildings," he added.