AS PART OF its continuing programme to phase out inefficient lighting in Barbados, Government has announced plans to replace more than 25 000 street lights with energy efficient alternatives.
The project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and the European Union, also provides for the retrofitting of about 13 Government buildings with energy efficient technologies.
News of this came from Minister with responsibility for Energy, Senator Darcy Boyce, at a ceremony to launch an energy efficient lighting distribution initiative today. Senator Boyce disclosed that the initiative aimed to make energy efficient lights “the new normal” for both residential and institutional lighting.
“On the supply side, the intent is for retailers to stock and sell increased numbers of energy efficient lights. On the demand side, the aim is to raise awareness as to the savings created by energy efficient lights and increase their uptake,” he explained.
The programme is being facilitated by the Energy Smart Fund in the Division of Energy, in collaboration with the Enterprise Growth Fund, Caribbean LED Lighting Inc., the Barbados Light and Power and Courts.
Under the initiative, five LED screw bulbs will be provided free of cost to a limited number of residential customers of the Barbados Light and Power. Customers, randomly chosen as part of the pilot, will receive special vouchers in the mail which they can redeem at either Caribbean LED Lighting at Lower Estate, St. Michael, or any Courts retail store.
Senator Boyce noted that LEDs were the fastest developing lighting technology today, and the most efficient lights on the market. “A CFL (compact fluorescent light) is five times more efficient than the incandescent light bulb, but the savings are ultimately realised with the LED bulb which has an extended life and is 10 times more efficient that the ordinary bulb, therefore providing both energy and cost savings in the medium term,” he said.
The Energy Minister submitted that energy conservation through the spread of LED bulbs must be a national movement, as it was much more economical to conserve power than to produce power. These efforts, he said, would not only help to reduce Barbados’ high oil import bill, but would also contribute to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions in light of climate change. (BGIS)
