Indian states Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir have become the latest to implement LED lighting replacement projects under the country’s Domestic Efficient Lighting Program (DELP), according to Indian media reports.

Governor N N Vohra of northern Indian state Jammu and Kashmir attended a meeting recently regarding the implementation of DELP to replace existing lights with LEDs in the state, which is to become effective from March 2016, reported Greater Kashmir.

The distribution of 8 million LED bulbs in the state to 1.5 million registered consumers will help reduce peak demand in the state by about 250 MW, and cut energy consumption by 260 million KWh. This translates to annual saving of INR 1,300 million. Streetlight replacements are also included in the project.

The governor directed Chief Secretary B. R. Sharma to take action so the DELP can be launched across the State by March 2016 in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a PSU under the Ministry of Power.

During the first phase, the government, through EESL will provide five 9W LED bulbs to registered electricity consumers at an affordable price. Consumers can purchase additional LED bulbs at a discount price of around INR 100, which the report claims is the market is retailing at a price of 2.5 times or higher.

The governor instructed the PDD to complete all necessary formalities for obtaining the requisite approvals for financial arrangements including signing of agreement, distribution modalities, awareness and promotion, and others with EESL by March 15, 2016.

In a statement, the local government also noted streetlights in the Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar, and other municipalities across the state would be replaced with smart LED lights equipped with smart meters and dedicated feeders/phase wires. The EESL will undertake the work on a turnkey basis, including maintenance for the next seven years.

The governor further directed EESL to undertake an Energy Audit of various government offices, starting with the Civil Secretariat to implement the use of energy efficient LED lighting in all government buildings across the State by March 15, 2016.

The Telangana State government has spent INR 800 million (US$ 11.72 million) to acquire 1 million LED bulbs, which it plans to distribute throughout the state, which is estimated to cut 75 million units of electricity and help the state save an estimated INR 430 million, reported The Hans India.

Senior officers from Telangana New Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TNREDCL) estimates it can save about 90% of energy using LED bulbs.

Introduction of LED bulbs is expected to reduce the energy demand and supply gap and load shedding during peak hours. The officer also noted it would help Telagana state meet energy demands of the commercial and industrial sectors.

The LED bulbs distributed are under the country’s DELP program, and the efforts to cut energy consumption would help discoms purchasing power at INR 6 per unit in the region save INR 430 million per year. Savings made could be transferred to the commercial sector.

Under the project, households can swap two 60W incandescent bulbs for two 9W LED bulbs each.