The Capital Development Authority (CDA) plans to acquire a loan for the execution of pending Light Emitting Diodes (LED) project. The project is to replace existing street lights system for energy saving purpose but the project has been put on hold for long. However, now it is expected that it will be initiated and completed soon. It is estimated that Rs 6.5 billion are needed for complete implementation of the LED lights project.
According to officials, the project will be launched by taking a Cash Development Loan (CDL) after consulting the Ministry of Finance. A firm named OSLO is ready to provide a loan of Rs 4.9 billion to CDA to launch the project whereas the Authority will take another loan from the federal government.
In a recently held CDA board meeting, a three member committee headed by Planning Member has been asked to compile a detailed report on the project and present it to the board in the upcoming meeting. The official said that the purpose is to explore the options to conserve electricity and decrease the cost incurred on operating streetlights in the capital city of Pakistan.
Replacement of the conventional street lights is the best option to save electricity as it is believed that 52 percent of the energy can be saved that will reduce the load of 8.32 MW on the national grid. The CDA Chairman said that the solution of current energy shortage in the country is either to increase energy production or reduce the consumption. The replacement of ordinary streetlights with the LED lights is the wise step according to time.
CDA is managing around 65,000 conventional streetlights in Islamabad, adding a load of 16 MW on the national grid that is growing every year. Resultantly, electricity cost has increased by 29 percent over the last three years and the trend will continue with time. Everyone knows that the life of LED lights is more than 20 years therefore these lights are proposed to replace the ordinary ones in the Federal Capital.
