AAI inks pact with EESL to install LED lights at Patna airport

PATNA: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for replacement of existing conventional lights with energy efficient LED lights at Jaya Prakash Narayan International Airport (JPNI) here. Senior EESL officials said the company would make an investment of Rs 4.9 lakh on the project.

“The project is part of the Centre’s building energy efficiency programme (BEEP), under which 100% upfront cost would be borne by EESL. EESL will manage the procurement of lighting equipment, installation and maintenance of the installed LEDs for free of cost. The project will save around two lakh units of energy which will lead to an annual monetary saving of Rs 15.59 lakh. Besides, the total investment for this project is only Rs 4.9 lakh,” regional manager of EESL in Bihar Rakesh Pratap Singh told this newspaper on Wednesday.

He added, “We are aiming to complete the project within three months. This means the conventional lights will be replaced by LED ones by October-end.”

Singh added altogether 1,000 indoor lights, including tube lights, panel lights and other down lights will be installed at the airport initially. “We will also install air-conditioners, 200 streetlights and outdoor lights on the airport premises under the programme. A site survey will be conducted for finalizing the total quantity of lights and air-conditioners to be installed in the AAI township,” Singh said.

He added immediately after signing of the MoU, a tender was floated to rope in an agency which will provide manpower for the execution of the project. “The company will be finalized within ten days,” he said, adding the project will save at least two lakh kilovolt ampere hours unit annually besides saving an estimated amount of Rs16 lakh per year.

AAI officials said the initiative would lead to huge energy conservation and reduced energy bills. “AAI will pay EESL on the basis of energy savings recorded once the project is completed,” said AAI deputy general manager A R Swaminathan after signing the MoU with EESL on Tuesday.