By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Nampower has budgeted N$14 million for the purchase of 800 000 compact fluorescent lights to be distributed for free to Namibians in a move intended to counter power shortages widely expected in the region. A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) – also known as a compact florescent light bulb or an energy saving light bulb – is a type of light bulb designed to fit into roughly the same space as an incandescent lamp (ordinary light bulb) but it has its advantages. Paulinus Shilamba, Nampower’s managing director told New Era yesterday that the utility and the Electricity Control Board (ECB) in tandem with the Ministry of Mines and Energy would embark on this project as an identified option that would reduce demand significantly, quickly and cost-effectively. “These bulbs will reduce energy by about 20 MW of power currently used,” explained the Nampower chief. From tomorrow, the different role players in this project would start with consultative meetings on the rollout strategy of energy-saving bulbs in the northern, northwest, coast, central, and southern parts of the country. Although Shilamba could not say from where the bulbs would be imported, he said the bulbs are likely to be in Namibia towards the end of this month. Distribution is expected to start beginning of next month. “We need to reduce consumption especially starting June till August (the winter period) when most people use more electricity,” Shilamba said. Compact fluorescent lights consume approximately six times less electricity while giving the same light output if not more. Solar water heaters, ripple control, tariff design, consumer awareness and energy audits are some of the options that could be applied in an effort to tackle the widely anticipated electricity deficit in the country. The power shortage in the region has meant that Nampower purchases power at higher rates and thus it is important that Namibia attracts investors in power generation to enable the country to become self-reliant in meeting the local power demand. Unfortunately, the current prices, which are in addition not cost-effective, put the country at a disadvantage in attracting foreign investors, he added. Shilamba appealed to all Namibians to switch off electrical appliances that consume a lot of power such as geysers especially during the peak hours lasting from 17h00 to 20h00. During peak hours, people are advised to alternatively make use of other forms of energy such as wood for cooking. Southern Africa, including Namibia, is struggling to meet a growing demand for electricity, with consumption expected to overtake current supply from the richest and most industrialised country on the African continent, South Africa, which exports power to neighbouring countries. Compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous flux, CFLs have a longer rated life and use less energy. A CFL can save over N$210 in electricity costs over the lamps’ lifetime compared to incandescent lamps. And modern CFLs typically have a lifespan of between 8 000 and 15 000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured to have a lifespan of 750 to 1 000 hours. Traditional bulbs are also less efficient than CFLs because incandescent lamps convert approximately 90 percent of the energy they consume into heat compared to a mere 30 percent for CFLs, making the latter more efficient.