10 mln LED bulbs free to low income households
Over 3 million low income households are to be given 10 million LED bulbs free under a government initiative to encourage energy saving, Deputy Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith P. Perera disclosed.
By replacing at least 3 or 4 most frequently used normal bulbs with LED bulbs in those households, the Ceylon Electricity Board would be able to save at least 70 per cent of electricity annually, a senior official of the Ministry revealed.
Under this initiative private sector solar energy firms in Sri Lanka could play a vital role by extending its assistance to the government’s energy conservation initiative through innovative solutions, the Deputy Minister pointed out.
The Ministry will purchase these bulbs with five year warranty by calling for international tenders, he said. Ministry sources said that the cost of the LED bulbs would be recovered through a scheme where consumers, entitled to free bulbs, continue to pay the same electricity bill payment rate for four months, despite lower usage with new LED bulbs, and thereafter at the actual usage. Responding to the government’s request, U-Tron (Beijing) Electronics Co Ltd via its local subsidiary U-Tron Lanka has expressed its willingness to assist this new initiative, Raja Magasweran, Managing Director of the company told Business Times.
The company has already launched another novel scheme of energy conservation in rural areas health sector, he disclosed. The company plans to provide solar powered refrigerator and freezers to rural medical centres, clinics, pharmacies, mother care centers and shops through nongovernmental and charity organisations in addition to solar lighting in rural households.
It is also promoting solar lighting in low income rural households and places of religious worship including Buddhist temples and churches. He said that U-Tron is one of the first companies to launch the solar lighting in places of religious worship in Sri Lanka.