Under the Bangalore Efficient Lighting Programme (BELP), Bescom has taken upon itself the responsibility of providing CFLs to interested consumers at reduced rates and with zero upfront payment.

“The cost will be recovered in nine monthly instalments via the electricity bill. CFLs purchased under BELP will cost 15 per cent less than the market price and no interest will be charged on the  consumer,” Mr B N Sathyapremakumar, Communications and Reforms Co-ordinating Officer, said.

Interested consumers can collect vouchers from Bescom sub-divisional offices and collect CFLs from the outlets of the three recognised companies — Philips, Osaram and Asian Electronics.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs (IB).

A 22-watt CFL emits the same light as a 100-watt IB. CFLs consume 50-80 per cent less energy than IBs. But the increased efficiency comes at a cost: CFLs are 10 times costlier than IBs.

CFLs are initially more expensive; but the public can save money in the long run, since they are not only energy efficient, but also last nearly 10 times the life of an IB, according to experts.

It is estimated that an average domestic consumer can recover his investment in CFLs through savings in electricity bills — in less than two years. 

Experts say CFLs have other advantages as well. Now that global warming has become a serious issue, replacing every IB with a CFL would keep half a ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Popularising CFLs

Additional Chief Secretary to Energy Department Dilip Rau says the government has no intention to ban the use of IBs by the public. “On the other hand, we intend to popularise CFLs because we can save lot of energy,” he adds.

Managing Director of Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Corporation Dr B Shivalingaiah opines that in Karnataka, nearly 1000 MW of power can be saved during peak hours in the morning, and another 1000 MW in the evening, if all IBs are replaced by CFLs.

“In Australia, consumers are going for CFLs. Similarly, steps could be taken in our country also,” he points out.

Currently, the utilities supply power to poorer of sections of the society at a subsidised rate under the Bhagya Jyothi and Kutir Jyothi (BJ/KJ) schemes. Of a total 1,41,16,266 LT/HT connections in the State, about 17,52,353 are BJ/KJ installations. The BJ/KJ connections consume about 190 million units.

“Since the State faces acute shortage of power, especially during summer time, it makes better economic sense for the utilities to make CFLs mandatory for BJ/KJ connections,” an expert observes.