About Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All

• It was launched in 2015 with a target of replacing 77 crore incandescent lamps with LED bulbs and to nullify the high-cost of LEDs that acted as a barrier previously in the adoption of energy-efficient systems.
• The scheme was implemented to set up a phase-wise LED distribution.
• The objective is to promote efficient lighting, enhance awareness on using efficient equipment that will reduce electricity bills and preserve the environment.
• It is the world’s largest domestic lighting project.

About SLNP

• Street Light National Programme is an initiative of the Government to promote energy efficiency in the country.

Objectives

• Mitigate climate change by implementing energy efficient LED based street lighting
• Reduce energy consumption in lighting which helps DISCOMs to manage peak demand
• Provide a sustainable service model that obviates the need for upfront capital investment as well as additional revenue expenditure to pay for procurement of LED lights
• Enhance municipal services at no upfront capital cost of municipalities

Why in News?

Govt of India’s UJALA and SLNP completes six years of Illuminating India efficiently.

Achievements

• UJALA project brought the market transformation in the energy efficiency sector. Prices of LED bulbs being distributed under UJALA programme have fallen to one-tenth of their rates in 2015 from INR 310 to INR 38 in 2018.
• The switch from inefficient incandescent bulbs to LEDs is helping families reduce their electricity bills while also enabling them to access better brightness in homes. 
• Through the UJALA initiative, over 36.13 crores LED bulbs have been distributed across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 46.92 billion kWh per year, avoided peak demand of 9,394 MW, and an estimated GHG emission reduction of 38 million tonnes CO2 annually.

• Under the SLNP programme, over 1.03 crore smart LED streetlights have been installed till date, enabling an estimated energy savings of 6.97 billion kWh per year and an estimated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction of 4.80 million tCO2 annually.
•  LED streetlights have been installed in various states across the country, helping generate approximately 13,000 jobs to support the Government of India Make in India initiative.
• This has enabled citizens to increase productivity at night and made roads safer for pedestrians and motorists due to enhanced brightness and reduced dark spots. 

Reference:

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1686309