KOLKATA: Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has received cumulative orders from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal for about 25 million LED lamps. It is also in talks with leading banks in India for replacing air-conditioning at their ATMs.
EESL Managing Director Saurabh Kumar told ET that the company brought down prices from Rs 38 in Rs 310 for a 9-watt lamp in 2014 to September last year. "We can offer LED lamps at prices that are the lowest globally. This has led to interest among neighbouring countries; they want EESL to follow a similar LED lamp distribution programme there," Kumar said.
He said EESL would be distributing 10 million lamps each in Sri Lanka and Nepal and another 1 million in Bhutan. "In Bangladesh, we will be involved in a project funded by the Indian government that involves outdoor and street lighting programmes," he added.The company plans to start work on the exports in the next three to six months, beginning with Bangladesh.
In India, EESL distributes LED lamps to households at a nominal price under the UJALA scheme. Investment and risk coverage are borne by the company while state power distribution companies pay it from the actual energy savings realised over the years. The scheme does not depend on any government subsidy.
"Till now, EESL has distributed close to 21 crore LED lamps in India. We have built a crore LED lamps in India. We have built a comfortable stock position. Existing stocks will also be adequate for distribution abroad, for now," said Kumar.
ATM AIR-CONDITIONING
Meanwhile, the company has invited bids for procuring one lakh super-efficient air-conditioners -at least 40% more efficient than the five-star versions available in India. Kumar said EESL plans to offer ACs to banks at zero upfront cost.
"We are in talks with ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank and State Bank of India. They have agreed in principal," he said.
The deal works on three-year equated monthly instalments from banks, who get return on investment through an estimated 30-40% savings in their power bills. "At this point, we do not have any estimate on the price manufacturers will offer, but we believe prices would reduce as we invite additional tenders," said Kumar.
EESL has also tapped manufacturers Voltas, Blue Star, Godrej, Daikin, Whirlpool and Panasonic and expects to order the first lot -about two lakh ACs -in March.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com