Government to replace street lights with LED bulbs in next 2 years

NEW DELHI: The government will replace all street lights of the country with LED bulbs in the next 24 months, and Karnataka should join hands with the Centre in its energy efficiency plan, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said.

"Under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme, efforts are being made to replace all domestic bulbs into LEDs... Karnataka should join hands with the central government in its energy efficiency programmes," Goyal said while addressing the first Foundation Day celebrations of the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS) in Bengaluru today.

In a statement, the minister said the government of India will replace all street lights of the country with LED bulbs in the next 24 months, which is in line with (Power) Ministry's motto of energy efficiency and providing dependable energy in the country.

He cited the solar roof top programme of Karnataka as a learning programme for other states.

The central government expects Karnataka to be in top five on implementation of new and renewable energy programmes, the minister added, assuring all possible help to the state.

India has a target of producing 1,75,000 MW of renewable energy in the next five years. The government has launched the National Solar Mission to generate 1 lakh MW solar power in the country.

State Energy Minister D K Shivkumar said that despite huge potential, inter-state water conflicts are acting as a bottleneck to the development of hydro projects in Karnataka.

He has sought the central government's intervention to help clear these projects for growth of the new and renewable energy sector.

On the occasion, Goyal gave away awards to representatives of 21 states for excellence in this field.