News / National
Six million energy saving bulbs for Zesa
07 May 2011 at 11:09hrs | Views
Nqobile Bhebhe of the Zimbabwe Standard reports that ZESA CEO Josh Chifamba says the struggling power utility will distribute six million energy-saving bulbs worth US$12 million for free countrywide in the next three months.
Chifamba said this was part of a demand management side project.
"Close to six million CFL bulbs will be distributed for free countrywide to replace incandescent light bulbs," said Chifamba.
He revealed while addressing the Zimbabwe Business Conference at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo under the theme "Reviewing the Zimbabwe Energy Scenario, Practical Steps to achieve energy efficiency to support growth of the Zimbabwe economy".
As a result, Chifamba said close to 250 megawatts of peak capacity relief energy would be made available daily.
"In the next three months, we would have built a virtual power station which would produce quick power of about 250 megawatts at a cost of $12 million," he said.
Chifamba said it would cost $60 per kilowatt to build the virtual power station.
Incandescent light bulbs have been banned in other parts of the world but there have been complaints that energy-saving bulbs are not as bright as the incandescent ones.
Zimbabwe has an electricity shortfall of 400 MW of the 2000MW required daily.
The power utility intends to cover the deficit through the introduction of energy-saving legislation.
Zimbabwe currently produces 1300MW and imports 300MW, leaving a shortfall of 400MW.
Chifamba did not reveal where the power utility would procure the energy saving bulbs only saying this would aid consumers in lowering their bills and reduce carbon emissions, among other things.
Chifamba said this was part of a demand management side project.
"Close to six million CFL bulbs will be distributed for free countrywide to replace incandescent light bulbs," said Chifamba.
He revealed while addressing the Zimbabwe Business Conference at the ongoing Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo under the theme "Reviewing the Zimbabwe Energy Scenario, Practical Steps to achieve energy efficiency to support growth of the Zimbabwe economy".
As a result, Chifamba said close to 250 megawatts of peak capacity relief energy would be made available daily.
"In the next three months, we would have built a virtual power station which would produce quick power of about 250 megawatts at a cost of $12 million," he said.
Chifamba said it would cost $60 per kilowatt to build the virtual power station.
Incandescent light bulbs have been banned in other parts of the world but there have been complaints that energy-saving bulbs are not as bright as the incandescent ones.
Zimbabwe has an electricity shortfall of 400 MW of the 2000MW required daily.
The power utility intends to cover the deficit through the introduction of energy-saving legislation.
Zimbabwe currently produces 1300MW and imports 300MW, leaving a shortfall of 400MW.
Chifamba did not reveal where the power utility would procure the energy saving bulbs only saying this would aid consumers in lowering their bills and reduce carbon emissions, among other things.
Source - AlphaMedia
