VISAKHAPATNAM: Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) will be supplied free of cost for the domestic consumers in all the five districts covered under the Eastern Power Distribution Company (EPDCL) of AP Ltd.

An MoU to this effect was signed by EPDCL on Tuesday with Osram India Pvt. Ltd. as part of plan to implement energy efficiency programme which involves distribution of CFL bulbs free of cost to households in all the five districts of EPDCL which may begin after a couple of months and completed by the end of 2008.

The target of Osram comprises households that otherwise could not afford to buy energy-saving lamps. Households can participate in the programme voluntarily and will receive energy-efficient CFLs in return for the much more energy consuming incandescent lamps. However, the consumers who will get the CFL lamps have to surrender the existing working GLS lamps.

According to a spokesperson of EPDCL, the programme will lead to transfer of modern and highly energy-efficient residential lighting technology. CFLs consume up to 80 per cent less electricity than ordinary light bulbs (incandescent lamps) and last up to 15 times longer. Over its entire lifetime, an Osram long life energy saving lamp will save around 1,000 KWH of electricity. This project is initiated by Osram under its clean development mechanism (CDM) with global partners and will be carried out by approved methodology.

Director (Finance) of EPDCL A.K. Ghosh and divisional manager of Osram, Chandan Bhattacharjee, were in the city as facilitators for the MoU which was signed by EPDCL chairman and managing director Praveen Prakash and Osram MD, Gagan Mehra. During the discussions, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) also participated with a view to help in the distribution network successfully. Further stakeholders meeting would be held in the third week of this month with all the concerned geared up to meet the energy saving drive, the spokesperson said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail