subject: 400 Million Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Coming to India [print this page] India's Bureau of Energy Efficiency is bringing in to the country 400 million compact fluorescent light bulbs. Their intent is to get rid of as many incandescent light bulbs in the country as possible, and greatly reduce their energy usage. Putting all 400 million compact fluorescent light bulbs to work in place of incandescents would certainly achieve that goal by far.
The reduction in energy usage is not just for financial reasons. 40 million tons of carbon emissions could be prevented each year with the extremely low levels of energy usage inherent in compact fluorescent light bulbs. This is a great step for India, and it's about time. Until now the prices of CFLs were prohibitively high, but thanks to government subsidies and plans, they're able to bring in nearly half a billion CFLs all at once. The cost of the bulbs is about 75% less than the lowest price they could have achieved in the past.
The environmental benefits conferred by this massive retrofit are not alone; financially India stands to benefit greatly. For every ton of carbon emissions saved, a carbon credit is awarded by the UN. Each carbon credit is worth about 10 to 12 euros on the international market, and the credits are quite high in demand. 40 million credits turns into nearly half a billion euros for India if all 400 million compact fluorescent light bulbs are put into play.
Investors in the project include power producers who are looking for greenhouse gas reduction certification required by the standards set forth by the European Union. Power distribution companies like North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL) are working on the project in India's capital, Delhi.
As beneficial as compact fluorescent light bulbs are, we need to remember that they do include toxic mercury, which normal light bulbs and other energy efficient light bulbs do not. 400 million compact fluorescent light bulbs equals many tons of mercury. If India does not properly dispose of and/or recycle their new CFLs, the resultant pollution would completely negate any reductions in carbon emissions. Always remember to recycle your compact fluorescent light bulbs.
400 Million Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Coming to India
