Bengaluru: The state is mulling over replacing all the existing streetlights with LED bulbs in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). However, to materialise the plan the state would require a romping Rs 2,000 cr.

As per the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture company floated by the central government energy utilities that assists the Central and state governments in implementing energy efficiency projects and realising savings, the same has been implemented in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

As per EESL, there are over 12 lakh streetlights in 280 urban local bodies, including the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) and if the conventional halogen is replaced here then power consumption will be reduced by 50%. Presently, 12 lakh streetlights in Karnataka consume 800 million units (MU) and need a power load of 120 MW to 200 MW. This can be brought down to 400 MU and 60 MW to 120 MW per annum. On an average, the government spends close to Rs 100 crore to just replace bulbs in the ULBs every year.

EESL is targeting to replace at least 4 crore LED bulbs in the state in the next five months. Ever Since the scheme was launched in December 2015, 68.65 lakh bulbs have been sold at a subsidised Rs 100 per bulb.