Lighting Up India: The Untold Story of LED, UJALA & What’s Next for Clean Energy

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), launched just three years ago, is a fresh yet impactful initiative in the world of climate finance. Unlike traditional philanthropic organizations, it is performance-oriented and hands-on. As GEAPP Vice-President Mr. Saurabh Kumar explains, "We are a philanthropy, but we are not a foundation." This distinction lies in GEAPP's direct implementation model-rather than simply funding external partners, the alliance works on the ground, creating measurable change in communities.

Founded by the Rockefeller Foundation, the Bezos Earth Fund, and the IKEA Foundation, GEAPP has a global footprint across eight developing countries-including India, Indonesia, Vietnam, four African nations, and Brazil. In Kumar's words, "We want to make a real-life impact on the ground." That mission demands results which convince donors to keep investing in their bold experiments.

Pioneering Innovation in India's Energy Landscape

Kumar, a seasoned energy leader and former Secretary at India's Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), shared insights into two groundbreaking initiatives he's been closely involved with, both of which have left a lasting impact on India's energy trajectory.

The first was the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, initiated by the BEE. This market-based mechanism incentivized large industries to improve their energy efficiency.

Companies that exceeded their energy-saving targets earned tradable certificates, which could be sold to those who failed to meet their goals. "It created a market where people were incentivized to do more than what was mandated," Kumar recalls. Over four operational cycles, the number of participating entities grew from 300 to over 1,000.

The second success story is the now-famous UJALA LED program. At its core, UJALA revolutionized lighting in India by replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs with energy-saving LEDs-without any government subsidies. "We offered an interest-free installment model," Kumar explained. "You give me back your incandescent bulb and repay over ten months via your electricity bill."

What started with a modest 600,000-bulb order in Puducherry scaled up rapidly, eventually peaking at 600,000 bulbs being distributed per day. By 2015, the initiative had become a case study at Harvard and IIM Ahmedabad. More importantly, it transformed the market: LED bulb prices plummeted from ₹500 to ₹38 within 18 months, and India witnessed a dramatic shift in consumer behavior and energy consumption patterns.

Who Drives Innovation-Government, Industry, or Startups?

When asked whether governments, industries, or startups are the primary innovation drivers in India's energy space, Kumar offered a nuanced perspective. "It has to be a mix of all," he said. "The government sets the vision, but scaling happens when industry believes in that vision." During the LED rollout, Kumar and his team actively encouraged manufacturers to localize production, which helped reduce costs and increase supply reliability. As a result, companies like Philips saw India become their single largest LED customer globally.

Kumar also highlighted the role of bold government policies in spurring private sector confidence. "Look at the National Solar Rooftop Program," he said. "We're aiming to install 10 million solar rooftops-arguably the biggest clean energy initiative globally."

The Power of Alliances and Collaboration

As the clean energy transition becomes increasingly complex, the need for collaboration among ministries, state governments, industries, and civil society cannot be overstated. "To make energy transition work, 18 ministries have to coordinate at both central and state levels," Kumar emphasized. Without that alignment, progress would stall.

GEAPP, while new, is designed to serve as a catalyst for such collaboration. By connecting policymakers, innovators, financiers, and community stakeholders, alliances like GEAPP can help scale solutions faster and more effectively.

Kumar also highlighted the glaring global gap in energy efficiency leadership. Despite energy efficiency accounting for over 50 percent of potential climate mitigation, according to the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook, there's no dedicated international body addressing this. India, he says, has been ahead of the curve in recognizing and acting upon its energy efficiency agenda.

Net Zero by 2070: A Stretch or a Necessity?

India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 has raised eyebrows for its ambition. However, Kumar believes it is both necessary and achievable. Drawing a parallel with his school days in riot-hit Allahabad, he said, "The situation is tense but under control."

India's developmental trajectory will be unprecedented, and this transformation must be powered by clean, innovative, and inclusive energy solutions. The transition won't just rely on technologies that exist today-it will require breakthrough innovations, some of which haven't even been conceptualized yet. "We have to grow economically, but sustainably. That's a tough balance, but it's non-negotiable," he said.

A Message to the Youth: India as a Living Lab

To the young minds entering the clean energy and sustainability sectors, Kumar had an encouraging message: "India is your laboratory. This country is trying things no one else has done before. All ideas are welcome."

He stressed the need for boldness in thought and action and urged young professionals to believe in their ideas, take risks, and never hesitate to experiment. "No idea is bad. Don't hesitate to reach out to any one of us to see how we can support your big idea," he said. "India needs a million, if not a billion, big ideas in innovation and clean energy to move forward and be a vishwaguru."

Conclusion

Saurabh Kumar's journey-from pioneering national energy efficiency schemes to shaping global clean energy strategies with GEAPP-is a testament to what vision, innovation, and collaboration can achieve. His insights reaffirm that India's energy transition is not just ambitious but also deeply rooted in practical experimentation and bold policymaking.
As Kumar eloquently puts it, India is not just participating in the global energy transition. It is leading it. With initiatives like the UJALA LED program, the PAT scheme, and the National Rooftop Solar Mission, India is writing a playbook for the world to follow.
And in this journey, alliances like GEAPP are critical enablers, working shoulder-to-shoulder with governments, industries, startups, and citizens to light the path toward a cleaner, more equitable energy future.