The Transition to Efficient Lighting in South Asia
Two day conference on 'The Transition to Efficient Lighting in South Asia' was jointly organized by the Centre for Research and Sustainable Building Science (CRSBS) of Sustainable Habitat (SH) division, TERI & United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) from 26-27 September 2013 at 'The Grand New Delhi Hotel'. The main objective of the conference was to promote the regional transition to efficient lighting.
Representatives from Ministries of Energy and Environment from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka participated in the conference. Delegates from state designated agencies (SDAs), international organizations (CLASP), government sector (BEE, BIS, CPCB, Railways, CPWD, MES etc.), private sector (OSRAM and Philips) and members of lighting associations (ELCOMA & ISLE) also participated and deliberated upon measures to overcome the barrier of phasing out inefficient lighting.
The objective of the workshop was to review the current status and assess opportunities for a transition to efficient on-grid and off-grid lighting in the South Asian region. TERI & UNEP presented a report on state of energy efficient lighting in South Asian countries listing projects, activities and identifying obstacles and challenges facing the lighting sector. Report also highlighted the economic and environmental benefits which region would realise after the effective and sustainable transition from inefficient lighting to efficient lighting.
A transition to efficient lighting and the phase-out of all inefficient on-grid lamps in the region would translate into savings of over US$ 3.3 billion per year. Over 48 terawatt-hours of annual electricity consumption would be saved, which is approximately 5.5% of the total regional electricity consumption in South Asia and more than 36% of electricity consumption for lighting. In addition, 43.2 mega tonnes of CO2 emissions would be eliminated each year.
In the end after several rounds of discussion among participants it was concluded that the countries would develop national efficient lighting strategies that would follow an integrated policy approach which would include minimum energy efficiency standards, supporting policies, monitoring verification & enforcement activities and the environmentally sound management of lighting products. A regional road map was also developed and that would be presented in the global meet on efficient lighting to be held in China.