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GOVERNMENT has gazetted Statutory Instrument 21 of 2017, which bans use of conventional filament light bulbs.
Anyone who imports or distributes energy inefficient bulbs will face up to a year in jail.
The move will save electricity through the use of bulbs which consume 80 percent less power and last six times longer than ordinary filament lamps.
According to the latest Government Gazette, domestic and industrial users are required to use energy saving alternatives such fluorescent lamps (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Some of the prohibited inefficient lightning products include those bulbs that do not meet minimum performance standards, fluorescent lamps with a colour rendering index less than 80, and incandescent/filament light bulbs.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority says replacing five million incandescent light bulbs with modern lighting alternatives will save the country over 300MW — enough to power Bulawayo.
“Any importer, wholesaler, retailer, consulting engineer and contractor or installer of lightning products that contravenes these regulations shall be guilty of any offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both,” reads part of the Gazette.
Importers of lightning products for sale or distribution are required to register with Zera and must submit evidence indicating compliance to minimum energy performance standards.
Labelling of lighting products must now include input power in watts, lumens output, life in hours, voltage rating and energy efficiency labelling.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said of the new regulations, “There is no doubt that we will save electricity.”
Five years ago, the power utility rolled out a US$12 million exchange that saw thousands of households getting free CFL bulbs for their filament bulbs.
South Africa started phasing out of all incandescent light bulbs in 2011 and the programme ended last year. Most developed countries have banned the use of energy inefficient filament bulbs.
Online Reporter