Company Name : Generic Source : The Hindu

NEW DELHI: Safe and effective disposal of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) continuing to remain a challenge, the Delhi Government is scouting for an alternative to the energy efficient equipment. And the closest replacement could be the LED (light-emitting diode) lights.

 

“We are exploring the possibility of switching over to LED as it is environment friendly as well as energy efficient. While the CFLs did help save energy, we have hit a roadblock so far as their disposal is concerned. The presence of mercury in the CFL lamps is a threat to health and environment both,” said Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Power) Rakesh Mehta.

 

Mr. Mehta said a committee has been set up to prepare a report on the feasibility of switching over to LEDs. “The committee is being headed by experts in climate change aspects and will in a month's time submit its report. Once the report is ready we will submit it to the Delhi Cabinet for approval.”

 

Referring to the merits of LED, the Chief Secretary said the technology allows a far greater saving than the CFL and has a longer life span. The only deterrent he said was the exorbitant cost at which the LEDs come. Unlike the standard CFLs that contain mercury, which can get released on breakage, LEDs are more environment friendly.

 

“As against a CFL, LEDs have a greater energy saving ability. While CFLs reduce the energy consumption by 20-25 per cent over the incandescent ones, LEDs go up to 50 per cent, which is a huge saving. When we made the switch from incandescent to CFLs we were given to understand that we if replace all incandescent lamps with CFLs we will need one 500 MW power plant less for Delhi. So, obviously LEDs would better even that record.”

 

As for the high, almost prohibitive, costs of a LED lamp, Mr. Mehta said: “The LED is about three-and-a-half times more expensive than a CFL, but they last much longer, almost 10-15 years. But there are a number of manufacturing units coming up in the country and I am sure with suitable intervention we will be able to bring down the price or work out some mechanism so that the consumers and manufacturers are protected and simultaneously save on power.”

 

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has already fixed the standards for LED lighting in the country.