The affordable LED lighting scheme aimed at improving energy efficiency has been launched in Coimbatore.The Central scheme UJALA (Unnat Jeevan by affordable LEDs and appliances for all) was inaugurated by Tangedco Coimbatore region Chief Engineer T Haldorai on Friday.He said people could buy high quality 9W LED bulbs at Rs 70 a piece, LED tube lights at Rs 220 and 50W 5-star rated energy efficient fans at Rs 1,200.

The company Energy Efficiency Service Ltd was set up under the Ministry of Power to facilitate implementation of projects that support this cause. It has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tangedo and is implementing UJALA in Tamil Nadu in a phased manner. The scheme had been successful in Chennai and its neighbouring districts, he added.

The products will be sold through 20 stalls to be set up in various parts of the district by the company on Monday. In case of any faulty bulbs, replacement will be done through these counters.

In Tamil Nadu, the company had distributed more than 8 lakh LED bulbs, 1.9 lakh tube lights and 36,000 fans under the scheme. It has targeted 3 crore bulbs, 35 lakh tube lights and 10 lakh fans.

“Switching over to energy efficient appliances will result in reduction of 876 MW of peak demand per day and annually reduce carbon dioxide emission by about 34 crore tonnes,” Haldorai said.

In a statement, EESL Deputy General Manager T Ramesh said UJALA would not only help consumers save on their power bill, but also help the government in managing its power demand and supply, besides contributing to environment conservations.