China Estimates Quadrupled LED Output in Five Yrs

China Estimates Quadrupled LED Output in Five Yrs

Import and sale of ordinary incandescent lamps will be gradually banned in China in five phases, according to a November 2011 Notice. From October 1, 2012, the import and sale of incandescent lamps of 100 watts and higher will be banned. Within five years, namely before October 1, 2016, incandescent lamps will be out of the market completely. This notice has been released jointly by National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, State Administration for Industry & Commerce, and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Moreover, NDRC in the 12th five year plan would develop measures that encourage the promotion of LED illumination based on the Green Lighting Policy of the Ministry of Finance. According to the 12th plan, LED lamp output value would quadruple within the next five years. 

The biggest takers of LED will be LED lighting and large screen LED backlight. While the growth of TV backlight is slowing down, more expectations are directed towards the LED lighting industry. Statistics show that in China lighting consumes 12 percent of the total electricity, while the elimination of the incandescent bulb will pave way for the adoption of high-efficiency lighting products as substitutes. This adoption will save an estimate of 48 billion kilowatt-hours and reduce 48 million tons of carbon dioxide emission per annum. 

Some industrial experts, however, warn that the huge LED lighting market has not yet opened up fully due to cost and awareness factors. Moreover, elimination of incandescent lamps doesn’t ensure the complete use of LED lighting. Therefore, the policy itself does not bring direct profit. Its importance lies more in its being a policy signal. LED lighting will obtain more policy support and room for market growth in its future development. Presently this growth is only limited to projects, but actual growth and savings would come once LED lighting penetrates into every single household as well. It’s still a long way to reach the goal of higher savings, which would require greater mass interaction, innovations and perseverance.