New Delhi, 27 June  2008

Press Release

 

BSES launches India’s first structured program for safe disposal of CFLs

Rewards customers ‘turning in’ discarded CFLs & Incandescent (GLS) bulbs

Makes CFLs available at heavily discounted prices

 

 

BSES once again takes the lead in Energy Conservation. It has launched a unique initiative that addresses two of the current priorities – energy conservation and safe disposal of CFLs. BSES’ new scheme provides its customers an opportunity to buy CFLs at heavily discounted prices – and rewards them for turning in discarded CFLs and energy guzzling Incandescent bulbs.

 

Dr A K Walia, Hon’ble Minister for Power and Finance, GoNCTD launched BSES’ latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, in a simple but a well-attended function, today. Other prominent attendees at the function, organised at the Delhi Secretariat Auditorium, included Shri Arvinder Singh Lovely, Hon’ble Minister for Education, GoNCTD, Shri Haroon Yusuf, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, GoNCTD, senior BSES, Finolex and government officials.

 

Complimenting BSES for launching this unique initiative, Dr A K Walia said, “It is good to see BSES actively participating in Delhi government’s mission to conserve electricity. I once again appeal to all the Bhagidari partners and citizens of Delhi to take the lead in conserving electricity – the need of the hour”

 

On his part, Shri Haroon Yusuf said, “It is good to note that BSES is not only encouraging the use of energy efficient CFLs but also facilitating their safe disposal. Such schemes not only help conserve energy but also help in reducing the harmful CO2 gasses”

 

“Even though the pleasant weather this year, has ensured a much reduced electricity demand in the otherwise power guzzling summer months in Delhi, such energy and environment friendly measures will go long way in restricting the power demand and reducing the Greenhouse gases. BSES customers should take full advantage of this offer”, said Shri Arvinder Singh Lovely.

 

Under the unique scheme, BSES customers will be able to buy CFLs at hugely discounted prices. A twin 20 W (Savings of Rs 140) energy saving pack containing two 20 W CFL is attractively priced at Rs 200. Similarly, twin 15 W (Savings of Rs 110) and 11 W (Savings of Rs 105)) energy saving packs, containing two 15 W and two 11 W CFLs respectively are attractively priced at Rs 150 and Rs 135. “Based on the customer feedback, CFLs are being offered in all three colours – Cool Day Light, Day Light and Warm White”, said a BSES official.

 

That’s not all. BSES customers turning in discarded (but not broken) CFLs and Incandescent bulbs of any make will be eligible for an additional discount ranging between Rs 5 to Rs 12 on the twin energy saving packs (refer table below).

 

 

 

 

 

Wattage

Special Price of  Twin Pack for BSES customers (Rs)

Savings on the special Twin Pack for BSES customers (Rs)

Additional Discount on Returning a discarded CFL (Rs)

Additional Discount on Returning an Incandescent bulb (Rs)

20 W (= 100 W)

200

140

12.00

8.00

15 W (= 75 W)

150

110

9.00

6.00

11 W (= 60 W)

135

105

8.00

5.00

 

Explaining the dynamics of the scheme, open to all regular paying customers, a BSES official said “All a customer needs to do is visit any of BSES’ 33 Customer Care Centre and 33 select Cash Counters – where special kiosks have been set up, show a copy of their last paid bill and avail the offer. Also there is no restriction on the number of CFLs a customer can buy”. Moreover, the CFLs sold under the offer will be backed by one-year replacement warranty. The scheme will continue for a period of six months.

 

To facilitate this one of its kind offer, BSES has tied up with Finolex – makers of the world-renowned Finolex Cables and an IS/ISO 9001 company. Their “FINOGLOW” CFLs are ISI Marked and manufactured in their state-of-the-art automatic microprocessor controlled production line in Pune.

 

A study has thrown up startling facts. According to it, use of CFLs will go a long way in reducing Mercury emissions from electricity.  A Power plant will emit 10 mg of Mercury to produce electricity to run one Incandescent bulb compared to only 2.4 mg of Mercury to run a CFL for the same time.

 

Finolex CFLs have many unique features – efficient handling and use of Mercury, being of them. Finolex CFLs use the latest Amalgum Technology for efficient handling and use of Mercury, thus making them environment friendly. “Finolex CFLs use only 4 mg of Mercury – ‘dozed’ at the time of manufacturing – reducing to just around 1 mg at the end of their life – the rest being used during use”, said a Finolex official.

 

“BSES is the first distribution company in the country, to facilitate a structured program for safe disposal of CFLs, said Shri Arun Kanchan, CEO, BSES. Adding “The use of modern technology has ensured that CFL’s these days contain only small amounts of mercury that is necessary to produce light. This is 1/5th of the mercury found in a Lithium wristwatch battery, 1/100th of the quantity found in a dental filing and 1/400th found in traditional home thermometer”.

 

“Use of CFL bulbs will not only go a long way in conserving precious electricity, but will also lead to huge savings in a household’s electricity bill. Savings between Rs 321 – Rs 525 (depending on wattage) per year can accrue with just one CFL bulb. Imagine the magnitude of savings accruing to a family if all the bulbs are replaced with CFL’s,” said Arun Kanchan, CEO, BRPL.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Deepak Chhabria, Managing Director, Finolex Group said “We are proud to be associated with BSES – in its mission to conserve electricity and reduce the harmful CO2 gases. We hope maximum number of BSES customers, avail this one of its kind offer”.

 

“Studies have shown that Delhi can save around 625 MW of electricity by simply switching over to CFLs and switching off electrical gadgets from the mains, instead of the keeping them in the stand by mode”, said a BSES official.

 

According to a BSES spokesperson, “This is a second major effort by BSES towards Energy Conservation in the recent past. Its earlier and hugely successful “Buy One, Get One Free CFL” scheme, saw over 4 lakh CFLs being sold – reducing the electricity demand by over 25 MW and reducing CO2 emissions by around 1.44 lakh tonnes/year”

 

BSES, Delhi’s premier power distribution company, is committed to ensuring quality and reliable electricity supply to all its consumers.

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For further information please contact:

Prashant Dua

Chandra P Kamat

Corporate Communications

Corporate Communications

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