– By Ranjana Konatt, Editor (Brand Positioning)
The lighting industry in India has time and again proved to be a competitive one, and we see a shift from conventional bulbs to LEDs, also driven by the increasing initiatives by the government, rising consumer awareness about energy-efficient products and a new product portfolio.
The industry’s paradigm of a dynamic LED sector
Several representatives from the industry speak to Lighting India to give first-hand input on energy-efficient lighting, its sub-categories, the LED sector and more. Jaguar Lighting speaks of the various trends in the LED sector. According to Jaguar, the lighting industry is witnessing trends that are a response to the changing demands from customers. The company says that they are seeing a demand for smart & connected lighting. Its high-time we say no to conventional light switches and control lighting fixtures through smartphones, tablets and voice commands. Another is Dynamic RGB Lighting – Add over a million colours to the spaces around you, his system uses DMX control –based dynamics RGB/RGBW lighting solutions. Also, Jaguar Lighting pointed to furniture and closet lighting, where-in indoor illumination is extended to the luxurious furniture, storage spaces and kitchens as well. Also, we have human-centric lighting where lighting plays an important role in enhancing productivity and keeping up with good health at the same time.
The call to energy-efficient solutions and the focus on the ‘Paris Agreement’
Prag Bhatnagar, Senior Vice President, Havells India Limited says that another major trend is the call for energy-efficient lighting systems. He says: “The market for energy-efficient products such as LED-lighting is bound to grow to ride on the initiatives that encourage the use of LED lights.” The focus, he added, is on smart projects – an efficient public distribution system and the ever-increasing need for a smart and a connected lifestyle. Also, he says, policies and industries have helped us realise the massive benefits that LED-technology has to offer. “The LED market is poised to multiply 10 times in the next five years, according to Frost & Sullivan. Usage of LED concerning end-users is distributed across multiple segments of industries such as IT/ITES, BFSI, Govt, Infra, Hospitality, landscape, industries, etc. With the technology advancement and prolonged life of LED, it is being used in automobiles and for signage too as it is registering growth,” Bhatnagar says.
Meghana Shetty, Co-founder, smstudio – An architectural and interior firm, speaks on the importance of energy efficiency. She says: “During the past century, rapid strides made by economies towards development and industrialization have led to an increase in the global carbon footprint. This is demonstrated by the paradigm shift in the attitude of countries party to the 2015 Paris Agreement, which reflects the seriousness of countries towards the challenges posed by climate change as well as the way the consequent damages are being discussed and addressed around the world.” The renewed ambition to adopt the Paris Agreement along with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as key blueprints for the future we want is a giant leap towards our commitment to combat climate change, she adds, and the success of these agreements depends to a great extent on our adoption of clean energy.
Also, while speaking on policy and interventions, she says: “While policy interventions around clean energy take place at their own pace and time, one of the most economically feasible options available with citizens across the globe, is to adopt an energy-efficient lifestyle. It is becoming increasingly clear that energy efficiency needs to be central in energy policies around the world.”
Policy, Regulation and Reform within the scope of a growing economy
Keeping this inescapable truth in mind, the Government of India, along with active support from its citizens, has kick-started a revolution in energy efficiency by introducing scalable and replicable demand-side management initiatives. The country, Shetty says, has not only established a comprehensive policy for energy efficiency – National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) but has also executed successful demand-side management programs for consumers and municipal corporations to achieve overall energy savings while gradually mitigating the impact of climate change.
The Government’s Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All (UJALA) scheme is implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a super Energy Service Company (ESCO) under the Ministry of Power. UJALA, the world’s largest zero-subsidy LED bulb program for domestic consumers, is an example of a successful energy efficiency program, designed to help the country achieve sustainable development by reduction of carbon footprint.
Shetty adds and says: “UJALA is purely a citizen-led initiative, with strong policy support from the government. It is an example of a self-sustaining government initiative that has not only surpassed traditional benefits, like energy savings and reduced carbon emissions but has also triggered large scale investment in the manufacturing of LED bulbs, generated employment and other macro benefits.” The success of the UJALA program, she adds, has demonstrated that such initiatives can not only be executed but successfully replicated for other appliances such as fans and tube lights. UJALA’s tangible benefits have resulted in healthy competition among all states governments in India to devise customized energy efficiency programs and execute them independently; emulating the scalable models demonstrated by EESL, since achieving energy efficiency is a key element in the 24×7 Power for All agreement between the Central government and the individual state governments. In 2016, the UJALA scheme further included the distribution of 20-watt LED tube lights and energy-efficient ceiling fans, which are rated 5-star by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). By 2019, the Government aims to replace 770 million old wasteful lamps with modern, efficient and long-lasting LED bulbs. To date, more than 230 million LED bulbs have been distributed across the country, completely transforming the way Indian citizens look at bulbs, energy efficiency and environmental conservation. The distribution of 230 million LED bulbs, 800,000 energy-efficient fans and 2.3 million LED tube lights has cumulatively has helped India save 32 billion kWh electricity annually, the production of which would otherwise have consumed 19 million tons of coal. This has led to an annual reduction of 25 million tons of CO2, which is equivalent to growing approximately 600 million trees for ten years. Adding to that, consumers are saving over 124 billion on their electricity bills annually, she adds.
