Govt. initiates project to install energy-efficient street lights. A project for installing energy efficient LED street lights in Kochi Corporation, Attingal municipality and Malappuram municipality has been initiated by the State government. It is being taken up in the public-private participatory mode as part of Nagara Jyothi, a scheme under the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project. A detailed project report (DPR) is to be prepared by an agency being selected through an open invitation of expression of interest. Tenders were invited from interested agencies for the preparation of DPR a month ago and the government nod was awaited for the finalisation of the selection process, a senior official associated with the project told The Hindu . The present study would bring out the possibilities in attracting private investment in the power distribution segment, he said. The selection of civic bodies for implementation the pilot was done with a view to include different categories of self-governing bodies. Kochi Corporation will represent the five corporations while Malappuram is being considered as a representative of first grade municipalities. Attingal will represent second and third grade municipalities. The detailed project reports sought to be prepared now will be modified for other self-governing bodies whenever required. The government intends to extend the project to all the municipal and corporation limits. The project is being supported by Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture of public sector units (PSUs) of the Ministry of Power, engaged in energy conservation initiatives. The effective demand-side management of power would help save considerable quantum of power. The wastage of power in street lighting is sought to be reduced through appropriate tools. As per EESL estimates, the overall size of energy efficiency market is worth Rs. 74,000 crore. Only five per cent of this market has been tapped through the energy service company (ESCO) mode in the case of street lighting and certain industrial applications. The ESCO model is being integrated in the power distribution system as an effective mechanism to overcome financing barriers faced by local self-governments. EESL, a joint venture of NTPC Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, Rural Electrification Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India, is in the process of establishing a viable model in ESCO mode of power distribution.