In a bid to offer easy access to LED bulbs, LED tubelights and energy efficient fans, the government has decided to distribute them from select petroleum retail outlets across the country.

The distribution of these energy efficient appliances will be conducted in a phased manner across these select outlets.

In the first phase, distribution will commence from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Consumers can purchase high quality 9W LED bulbs for Rs 70, 20W LED tubelight for Rs 220 and five-star rated ceiling fan for Rs 1,200.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the Ministry of Power, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) for distribution of energy efficient appliances under the flagship Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and appliances for All (UJALA) scheme.

According to a government release, currently over 25.5 crore LED bulbs, over 30.6 lakh LED tubelights and around 11.5 lakh energy efficient fans have been distributed in the country under the UJALA scheme.

This is leading to an annual energy savings of over 3,340 crore kWh and resulting in avoidance of over 6,725 MW of peak demand.

DISTRIBUTION IN A PHASED MANNER

Through the scheme the estimated cumulative cost reduction in bills of consumers annually is over Rs 13,346 crore and is leading to reduction of approximately 2.7 crore tonnes of CO2 every year. As per the agreement, Oil Marketing Companies- IOCL, BPCL and HPCL will take up the distribution of the energy efficient appliances in a phased manner.

The MoUs were signed with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in the presence of Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyaland Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan.

As part of the MoUs with the OMCs, EESL will make the entire upfront investment for ensuring availability of the products at the outlets and no upfront capital cost will be borne by the OMCs barring manpower and space.

On the occasion, Piyush Goyal said, "It is worth noting that two important ministries of the Central Government have come together to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of every citizen having access to energy efficient appliances.

The marketing network of the three oil marketing companies is unparalleled and this tie-up will only accelerate and scale up the distribution of energy efficient appliances across the length and breadth of the country."

REDUCE IMPORT OF ENERGY

In his speech, Dharmendra Pradhan said, "It is the vision of the Centre to reduce our dependence on import of energy by up to 10 per cent.

The petrol pumps owned by the three oil marketing companies can boast of a very high footfall. It is a great opportunity for the two departments to come together and utilise this network for ensuring LED bulbs and tubelights reach every corner of our country."

Pradhan further said the ecosystem of non-fuel retail business around the retail outlets will not only help drive the non-fuel business but will also lead to customer convenience in their own vicinity.

The three Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies, Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum together have a vast network of over 54,500 petroleum retail outlets throughout the length and breadth of the country.

These outlets not only meet the growing fuelling needs of the country but also offer a bouquet of allied services like ATMs, service stations, convenience stores and PUC facilities to enhance value and convenience to customers across the urban, highway and rural markets.

The unmatched network of these mega petroleum companies will significantly boost the distribution and marketing reach of EESL and extend the availability of energy efficient products to all corners of India.

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