Zambia effects ban on importation of incandescent bulbs

Authorities in Zambia have with immediate effect banned the manufacturing and importation of incandescent bulbs as a measure to save energy in view of a critical power deficit the southern African nation is facing, a senior government official said on Thursday.

On December 14, 2015, the Zambian cabinet approved a decision to phase out the manufacturing and importation of incandescent bulbs and the measure was expected to come into effect on January 1, 2016.

Ministry of Energy and Water Development Emelda Chola said no company will be allowed to import or manufacture incandescent bulbs following the ban.

"This demand has been undertaken as a demand-side management measure for lighting appliances in order to save energy in view of the current power deficit that the country is facing," she said in a statement.

Incandescent bulbs are very energy inefficient converting only 5 percent of electrical energy into visible light while the remaining 95 percent is wasted as heat.

The measure will result in the country's power utility saving more than 200 megawatts of power.

Zambia is currently facing a power deficit caused by low water levels in the country's reservoirs. About 90 percent of Zambia's electricity is hydro-generated. Endit