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Big push to light up and save
05/03/2008 19:40 - (SA)
Pretoria - Incandescent lamps would be exchanged for energy-saving lamps in all provinces from April onwards, Eskom said on Wednesday
The compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) exchange programme was already underway in several of the country's provinces and has seen more than 12 million lamps distributed in three years, but Eskom said it hoped to accelerate this programme to all provinces in April.
Eskom spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said: "The distribution of CFLs is a practical and effective response to the strain on the system.
"By broadening and intensifying the programme, we will be capitalising on gains already achieved, promoting the benefits and increased use of CFL lamps, and encouraging the purchase and use of these lamps across the nation."
The programme was first introduced in the Western Cape in 2006 and it has resulted in a 215MW saving.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the latest focus area, distribution of more than four million lamps to 580 000 households has led to savings amounting to 131 megawatts.
Much cheaper now
A further 4.5 million CFLs is being distributed in selected areas of the Free State, Western and Northern Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West.
Eskom said a saving of as much as 1 000mW was projected as result of the greater use of CFL light bulbs in businesses and homes across the country, with a targeted saving of 750MW by 2010.
Etzinger said: "The CFL lamps, which are imported into South Africa, are readily available on most supermarket shelves and their prices have dropped significantly from about R80 a unit a few years ago to about R15 a unit."
"The roll-out of the CFLs is one of the most-visible programmes we are undertaking to address power shortfalls," he added.
- SAPA
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