compact fluorescent lamps (cfls) may become cheaper in India. The Union ministry of power is contemplating a scheme to popularise cfls. Called 'cdm -based cfl Scheme', it is likely to be launched this month. The initiative urges cfl makers to sell them to households at a reduced cost--a tenth of its market price.
"The government is encouraging companies to devise their own schemes so that cfls can reach consumers at a price of Rs 10-15, and the balance amount can be recovered through revenues from cdm (Clean Development Mechanism).The companies must develop their own 'Programme of Activities' according to the rules by the cdm executive board--the un body supervising cdm-- to avail the carbon trading benefits," a senior official at the power ministry told Down To Earth.
For every cfl sold, a company can earn about Rs 20 per year as credit. The credits will be calculated based on the energy saved by a cfl--compared to an incandescent bulb--for every five hours of usage. The value of the carbon credit is calculated at us$8 for a tonne of co2.
The company selling cfls through this scheme will also have to issue a replacement guarantee for a minimum of 10,000 hours to the consumers. They have to buy back the lamps if they need replacement.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the power ministry will monitor the scheme and a consultant will supervise disposal of the lamps. Two facilities, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute in Nagpur and another one in Hyderabad, will deal with the disposal.
A pilot project will be launched in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh. According to officials, about 90-100 million incandescent bulbs will be replaced through this pilot scheme. If the scheme is successful, an estimated 400 million incandescent bulbs will be replaced with cfls in the country and cfls will be distributed, say officials.
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