All public offices, schools, and hospitals required to make the switch within two years
PANAJI
Government and semi-government establishments across the State, including schools and other educational institutions have been issued a mandate to compulsory switch to star-rated light emitting diode (LED) lamps and tube lights for all their lighting requirements.
The mandate which also serves a timeline of two years for the process has been issued by Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes via a notification published in the State's official gazette. Fernandes has cited powers under section 18 of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 (52 of 2001) to issue the mandate on behalf of the Governor for the efficient use and conserving energy.
According to the notification issued by Fernandes, LED lamps and tube lights shall be mandatory immediately for all new Central or State government offices including schools, hospitals and also Public Sector Undertaking Institutions and establishments in Goa.
It is also mandatory for all power consumers in industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, the notification adds.
Also, in municipal areas and GIDC-developed areas, the notification issued by Fernandes also makes it mandatory for the installation of an Automatic Switching System (either solar-based or timer-based) from dusk to dawn operation on existing as well as new street lighting rows, where a common switch for 10 or more lights is required.
However, power consumers of existing state and central government buildings are permitted to replace existing conventional bulbs, tube lights or CFLs with LED versions only if "defective". But any new additions or renovation of office spaces shall mandatorily use LED lamps//tube lights. But in any case, all these existing offices will have to have 100 per cent LED lighting in two years.
Additionally, the notification has mandated replacing all existing air-conditioning systems in government and semi-government establishments with "5-star-rated units" within two years. Failure to follow the mandate will empower the electricity department to "disconnect" the power connections based on the recommendation of the "Inspecting Officer" after serving due notice once the deadlines mentioned in this notification end.
The notification names Executive Engineers (O&M) of the concerned jurisdiction to be the enforcing authority of these mandates who are tasked with sending quarterly progress reports to the CEE's at the Electricity Department's headquarters in Panaji.
