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HOUSEHOLDS can save at least 80 percent in their
electric lighting cost by switching from incandescent
bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent (CFL, also
labeled T-8) bulbs.
On
Wednesday national and local officials from Metro Manila
and industry stakeholders led the ceremonial Switch to
CFLs government program, which was one result of the
January 28 and February 5 Energy Summit organized by the
energy department.
“What we
have here is a movement that would demonstrate how
ordinary people and all sectors of our society can help
address the dire consequences of skyrocketing oil prices
and climate change,” Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said
at the launch.
Estimates put the number of Filipino households at 15
million, with each household using at least three light
bulbs, mostly incandescent, especially in the rural
areas.
According to data from the Asian Development Bank, one
13-watt CFL, which has the same lighting power of a
60-watt incandescent bulb, could save users at least 47
megawatts (MW).
The
47-MW difference multiplied by 1 million bulbs would
mean the country can forgo the construction of one 50-MW
power plant costing $50 million, the bank data showed.
Reyes
said the Switch movement aims to shift households from
inefficient to efficient energy practices starting with
lighting. They are also targetting workplaces,
commercial and industrial buildings, public places such
as restaurants, and electricity in remote rural areas
where kerosene is widely used for lighting. |
