Govt starts distributing energy saving lamps next month
Saturday, 15 May 2010
FE Report
The government will start handing out lower-wattage lights to households next month, officials said Wednesday, as part of a nationwide drive to replace traditional lamps to save energy.
In the first phase, a total of 5.5 million imported compact fluorescent lights (CFL) with 15-20 watt capacity would be distributed free of cost among nine million households in the country's major cities including the capital, they said.
The energy-saving lamp uses up to 75 per cent less power and lasts ten times longer, but they cost less than $1.0 each. By contrast, incandescent lamps are inefficient, requiring replacement in every 1,000 hours or so.
"Formal distribution of CFLs will be launched on June 19 and all relevant government agencies will be involved," a senior Power Division official said.
"Each household will have to give back the existing incandescent bulbs. In return, it will get two CFLs-absolutely free of cost", the official added.
Power Division has estimated that the country could save 100 to 150 megawatts of electricity after implementation of the initial phase of the programme.
If the programme is fully implemented, officials said, the total saving of power consumption would reach over 300 MW.
Bangladesh relies heavily on gas to generate electricity, but this fuel source is expected to dry up by 2015, threatening to halt power generation across the country. Some 87 per cent of the country's gas resources is used to generate power, making it the single largest fuel source.
The World Bank has estimated that the energy-starved nation could avoid pumping some $500 million in a 350 MW power plant by just wider use of CFL.
Power Development Board (PDB), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Rural Electrification Board (REB) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd. will be responsible for distributing the bulbs.
Officials said the World Bank lent out US$ 50 million to finance the CFL distribution programme as part of its big push for renewable energy.
Bangladesh's renewable energy market is growing at an exponential rate of 56 per cent a year, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
The $150 million market is almost overwhelmingly dominated by solar system and experts forecast it would top $500 million by 2012.
The government will start handing out lower-wattage lights to households next month, officials said Wednesday, as part of a nationwide drive to replace traditional lamps to save energy.
In the first phase, a total of 5.5 million imported compact fluorescent lights (CFL) with 15-20 watt capacity would be distributed free of cost among nine million households in the country's major cities including the capital, they said.
The energy-saving lamp uses up to 75 per cent less power and lasts ten times longer, but they cost less than $1.0 each. By contrast, incandescent lamps are inefficient, requiring replacement in every 1,000 hours or so.
"Formal distribution of CFLs will be launched on June 19 and all relevant government agencies will be involved," a senior Power Division official said.
"Each household will have to give back the existing incandescent bulbs. In return, it will get two CFLs-absolutely free of cost", the official added.
Power Division has estimated that the country could save 100 to 150 megawatts of electricity after implementation of the initial phase of the programme.
If the programme is fully implemented, officials said, the total saving of power consumption would reach over 300 MW.
Bangladesh relies heavily on gas to generate electricity, but this fuel source is expected to dry up by 2015, threatening to halt power generation across the country. Some 87 per cent of the country's gas resources is used to generate power, making it the single largest fuel source.
The World Bank has estimated that the energy-starved nation could avoid pumping some $500 million in a 350 MW power plant by just wider use of CFL.
Power Development Board (PDB), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Rural Electrification Board (REB) and West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd. will be responsible for distributing the bulbs.
Officials said the World Bank lent out US$ 50 million to finance the CFL distribution programme as part of its big push for renewable energy.
Bangladesh's renewable energy market is growing at an exponential rate of 56 per cent a year, making it one of the fastest growing industries in the world.
The $150 million market is almost overwhelmingly dominated by solar system and experts forecast it would top $500 million by 2012.