Zesa to distribute free energy saver bulbs

CFLs last longer, at least 8 000 hours, while an incandescent light bulb lasts for 1 000 hours. Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distri­bution Com­pany managing director Engineer Julian Chinembiri yesterday said the energy saver bulbs were part of the 5,5 million bulbs Zimbabwe was expected to get this year.
He said they will start distributing the free bulbs during the first week of July.
“We have paid US$2 million for the first batch, which, according to the agreement we made with Kgabo, should be in the country by June 30,” said Eng Chinembiri.
“The bulbs are coming in batches as we also have a chance to mobilise the necessary resources. We are going to start the distribution exercise on July I and we are at the moment working on how to distribute the bulbs to con­sumers as they will be free of charge.”
Eng Chinembiri said the use of energy saver bulbs will result in the power utility saving close to 200 megawatts.
“We will save electricity that is enough to cater for half of Harare or the whole of Bul­awayo or at least four small towns such as Gweru, Kwekwe, Masvingo and Mutare. That is some­how also going to reduce load shedding and we expect the bulbs to bring a major differ­ence in energy saving,” he said.
The CFLs, he said, were going to be swapped with incandescent light bulbs that consume more electricity. Eng Chinembiri said 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. The tender to supply the energy saver bulbs torched a storm last year with a lot of companies failing to meet the requirements. Meanwhile, Eng Chinembiri said Zesa was paying Hydro Cabora Bassa of Mozambique US$1,7 million every week to clear its debt. The power utility had initially paid US$40 million of the US$76 million and is now settling the remainder in weekly instal­ments. The power utility got US$40 million from two local platinum-mining com­panies — Mimosa and Zimplats — and the money will be credited to the com­panies’ accounts as pre-payment for electricity. Domestic and com­mercial consumers owe Zesa Holdings about US$550 million. Most residents, espe­cially in high-density suburbs, are going for almost 10 hours per day without power.
Zimbabwe requires about 2 200 megawatts daily but gen­erates only 1 300MW.