Explained: Behind Kerala’s ban on CFL and filament bulbs from November 2020

News: Kerala will impose a ban on the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and incandescent (filament) bulbs starting November 2020 as part of sustainable energy policy. It is in line with ‘Filament-free Kerala’ envisaged in 2018 as part of the state’s Urja Kerala mission.

Facts:

Filament-free Kerala Project

• Aim: Replace incandescent bulbs and CFLs with the more energy-efficient LED bulbs.
• The project is implemented by the KSEB and Energy Management Centre, Kerala.

Urja Kerala mission

• It is an energy generation and conservation program which aims at integrated development of electricity sector in the state.

Five Key projects under the Mission

1. Soura – to establish 1000 MW of solar power capacity in the state by 2021
2. Filament free Kerala
3. Dyuthi 2021 –  aims modernization of transmission structure of power in the state
4. Transgrid 2.0 – aims at Power Highway – Creating High capacity transmission lines to reduce the transmission losses
5. eSafe – a massive publicity campaign to sensitize the users of electricity on its safety aspects.

Additional Information

Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme:

• Launched by Ministry of Power in 2015
• It seeks to promote efficient lighting and enhance awareness on using efficient equipment. 
• It is spearheaded by the Energy Efficiency Services Limited.