bulbs will ease power cuts

Feb 04, 2007

ON Wednesday the energy ministry unveiled the initial batch of energy saving bulbs that the ministry had ordered for distribution in Uganda. <br>

ON Wednesday the energy ministry unveiled the initial batch of energy saving bulbs that the ministry had ordered for distribution in Uganda.

The ministry had ordered 800,000 bulbs of which it took possession of 100,000 this week. The bulbs will be distributed free to the public but how this will be done is still the subject of discussion. Assuming the ministry can get its act together, formulate a fair distribution system and execute their plan with maximum efficiency this will go a long way to lowering power demand on the grid.

According to experts, if all the 800,000 bulbs are installed, about 45 megawatts of power would be saved during peak periods. This is good because the saved energy can be used more productively in powering industry and less in residential consumption.

Currently we only generate about 220 megawatts of power out of an installed capacity of 480 megawatts. Drought induced low water levels on Lake Victoria have forced a shut-down of some of the dams’ turbines lowering output. Peak power demand is estimated at 360 megawatts. However, we have to question whether government distribution of free bulbs is really a sustainable strategy? And what would be the fate of businesses already dealing in energy saving bulbs?

Wouldn’t the more sustainable strategy be to scrap taxes on energy saving bulbs forcing prices down to affordable levels for all users? Wouldn’t these kinds of tax breaks that support business be a better use of the $1.2m earmarked for this project?

It is understandable that this initial consignment is some sort of emergency relief. But it should be seen as just that and not a long term solution. It is commendable the speed with which government has reacted to this emergency but this should only be part of a broader sustainable strategy to switch to energy saving methods.



(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});