India Looks to Provide Incentives for LED Light Buyers

Move over compact fluorescent lamps—there’s a new darling in town.

The Delhi government is currently promoting light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a competing lighting product against compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which have been shunned by some consumers due to their toxic components. Touted by the government as a superior alternative, LEDs are praised not just for being more energy efficient than CFLs, but for also being easy and safe to dispose and recycle since they contain no traces of mercury.

The high prices of LEDs in India have stifled efforts for consumers to seriously consider them as viable lighting solutions at home (they cost up to 5 times more than the average CFL in India) but the government is looking at offering tax breaks to consumers in an effort to entice them to buy LEDs.



According to Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, promoting the adoption of energy efficient LEDs is an important goal for the administration, particularly with the rising demand for power in the region. Delhi alone has experienced a surprising rise in power demand, from 2,000 MW in 2000 to more than double at 5,600 MW this year.

The Chief Minister points out that they would like to promote LED light bulbs by providing concessions in value added taxes. Furthermore, she says the government itself will also make the transition from traditional lighting and CFLs to LEDs through a retrofit project that will light streets and government offices throughout the city with LED lighting.

Compared to CFLs, LEDs have a lifespan that lasts more than 5 times longer. They’re also more energy efficient, have better lighting output and generate less heat. Perhaps the only factor holding them back is their price, which is at least 8 times more than an average CFL.