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“The project is going on smoothly and we expect the bulbs to bring a major difference in energy saving.”
The power utility, he said, was likely to reduce its initial request of 5,5 million bulbs as most households already used the CFLs.
Eng Chinembiri said Kgabo Engineers had won the tender because of its competitive price and the capacity to produce and deliver on time.
He said the power utility would allow Zesa Enterprises to supply about 1,25 million bulbs to complete the exercise.
He said the CFLs were going to be swapped with incandescent light bulbs that consume more electricity.
Eng Chinembiri said all power utilities in the region were also pushing for the ban of incandescent bulbs.
“The Southern Africa Power Pool has recommended to the Sadc energy ministers to put legislation that bans incandescent bulbs.
“We are also looking at the lifespan of the CFLs because they last longer than the incandescent,” Eng Chinembiri said.
Without elaborating, he said the power utility had managed to reduce its debt to the foreign power suppliers.
Foreign power firms were giving Zimbabwe almost 200 megawatts per day.
“Our reputation has improved in the region because we have managed to pay some of the money we owed these power utilities.
“They are now giving us electricity because of our ability to pay after our clients started paying for the service we are giving them.
“I would want to urge clients to continue paying for the electricity so that we won’t have problems with those who give us electricity,” he said.
Zesa Holdings generates about 1 300 megawatts against a national demand of 2 200 megawatts.
Establishing a hydro-electric power station or a thermal power station with a production capacity of between 250MW and 500MW costs an estimated US$60 million.
Online Reporter