The Ministry of Power, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), has amended the star rating criteria of tube lights to promote energy efficiency.

The fluorescent lamps are rated between one to five stars based on their relative luminous efficacy. In the star rating, the star refers to the energy consumption standard, which complies with the performance requirements.

Luminous efficacy means the luminous flux, which is the light emitted from a lamp, per unit power consumed at rated voltage and frequency. Lumen maintenance is the ratio of the luminous flux of a lamp after 2,000 hours of operation or 70% of its rated life.

Simply put, a higher star rating means a more energy-efficient appliance, which, in turn, means a lower electricity bill for the consumer.

According to a notification by the Ministry of Power (MoP), the star level of the tubular fluorescent lamp will be determined based on rated luminous efficacy in lumens per Watt (lm/Watt). This rating will be valid until June 30, 2023.

Earlier, the central government and BEE had set a new energy performance standard for room air conditioners and mandated that the default temperature must be set at 24° Celsius (75.2° Fahrenheit). This was to promote energy efficiency in air conditioners, which consume a lot of power.

Energy consumption across all the sectors of the economy has increased in the past few years. With the growing economy and rapid urbanization, power consumption is expected to increase further in the coming years.

Governments across the world, including India, are gradually shifting towards renewable energy integration into the grid and systems approach to designing energy efficiency practices in various sectors.

In May this year, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency had released a report stating that the implementation of several energy efficiency programs in India has led to savings to the tune of 113.16 billion units (BUs) in 2018-19, which was 9.39% of the net electricity consumption (1,204 BUs).

Previously, the Ministry of Power announced the release of its ‘State Energy Efficiency Index 2019’ report, which keeps tabs on the progress made by the Indian states and union territories regarding energy efficiency initiatives. The report covers energy efficiency initiates in 36 states and union territories based on 97 indicators. The index was developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The index is created to help states contribute towards national goals on energy security and climate action by driving energy efficiency policies and program implementation at a state and local level. The report showed that most initiatives taken by states and union territories were policy or regulation based. Read the details of the report here.

In August last year, Mercom had reported that about the State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index that aimed to assess state policies and programs aimed at improving energy efficiency across various sectors. Based on 63 indicators, the ‘Front Runner’ states in the inaugural edition of the Index were Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.