Free light bulbs to save electricity

THE national power utility, NamPower, will spend N$14 million to roll out nearly a million energy-saving light bulbs to all households next month in order to replace conventional bulbs.

This exercise will shave approximately 20 megawatt (MW) off the country’s electricity consumption, NamPower boss Paulinus Shilamba told a closed meeting for the electricity industry on Tuesday. NamPower will follow South Africa’s power utility Eskom, which distributed five million energy-efficient bulbs to the Western Cape Province via a door-to-door campaign last year.The compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or energy-saving bulbs are already available in local shops but cost about N$15 – more than double the price of a conventional light bulb.One of the energy experts who was invited to the NamPower meeting told The Namibian that the bulbs would be distributed in cooperation with municipalities.The public would have to show their paid municipal bills in order to receive the free bulbs, which will be limited in number, depending on the size of the house.Despite several attempts, no comment could be obtained from NamPower yesterday.For a given light output, CFLs use between one-fifth and one-quarter of the power of an equivalent incandescent lamp, thereby saving significant amounts of energy.For industrialised countries, lighting makes up about one fifth of electricity consumption, so power-saving bulbs have significant benefits.A large US retailer, Home Depot, based in Atlanta with 2 164 shops across the United States, gave away 1 million CFL bulbs to customers on Earth Day this year.Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.NamPower will follow South Africa’s power utility Eskom, which distributed five million energy-efficient bulbs to the Western Cape Province via a door-to-door campaign last year.The compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or energy-saving bulbs are already available in local shops but cost about N$15 – more than double the price of a conventional light bulb.One of the energy experts who was invited to the NamPower meeting told The Namibian that the bulbs would be distributed in cooperation with municipalities.The public would have to show their paid municipal bills in order to receive the free bulbs, which will be limited in number, depending on the size of the house.Despite several attempts, no comment could be obtained from NamPower yesterday.For a given light output, CFLs use between one-fifth and one-quarter of the power of an equivalent incandescent lamp, thereby saving significant amounts of energy.For industrialised countries, lighting makes up about one fifth of electricity consumption, so power-saving bulbs have significant benefits.A large US retailer, Home Depot, based in Atlanta with 2 164 shops across the United States, gave away 1 million CFL bulbs to customers on Earth Day this year.Earth Day is celebrated on April 22.