Zesa Holdings is lobbying the ministry of Energy and Power Development for the banning of incandescent lights in a move to ensure consumers make use of energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting (CFL).
Research has shown that CFLs are up to four times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. A consumer can replace a 100 watt incandescent bulb with a 22 watt CFL for the same amount of light as CFLs use 50 – 80% less energy.
In a trading update on the energy situation in the country, Zesa said efficient use of electricity is an integral part of the strategy to address the current power shortages.
“The investment in CFLs is attractive. We will be spending $7 million to ‘generate’ 150 megawatts (MW), which roughly translates to about $50 000 per MW in capital compare to $3 million per MW on expansions,” said Zesa.
“We also believe it is prudent for Zesa to finance the initial installation in order to quickly realise the benefit and help in alleviating the power shortage”.
The power utility said there was a need to ban the inefficient bulbs, but said this will only be effective if the whole region took a common position.
It said implementing the legislation only in Zimbabwe without co-operation from neighbouring countries will be difficult to enforce, adding “fortunately this position has been appreciated by all regional countries and a concerted effort is being worked out to enact this legislation in all Sadc countries”.
“We agree there is need to have legislation in place to ban the inefficient incandescent bulbs and together with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the issue is being addressed,” said Zesa.
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Energy and Power Development minister Elton Mangoma last week said the tender for the distribution of five million CFLs will be conducted in the next two weeks.
Mangoma said the development would result in the country saving between 200 and 300MW of power in the process creating a virtual power station.
“The government is looking at measures to ensure the country does not slide into the same situation it was in before,” said Mangoma “We are looking at ways that will make CFLs cheaper.”
The awarding of the tender for CFLs has been cancelled twice following allegations of corruption and irregularities during the tender process.
Said Mangoma: “The kind of fraudulent behaviour at Zesa is shocking. Some of the employees will remove some pages to the tender documents so that others are disqualified. The tenders will be awarded in the next two weeks.”
