EC to distribute more energy saving bulbs

Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - The Energy Commission has taken delivery of more energy saving bulbs to be distributed to consumers free of charge as it steps up efforts to mitigate the effects of the current energy crisis on consumers and save more energy.

The Commission on Sunday took delivery of a fresh consignment of 1.8 million pieces of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) whose consumption of electricity is far lower than the incandescent bulbs, popularly called the onion bulbs, that most consumers use.

Mr Charles Anderson, Chief Programme Officer at the Energy Commission, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Monday that the consignment formed part of six million CFL ordered by the Government to be distributed to the public free of charge.

He said when all the six million CFL replaced the onion bulbs, some 200-240 megawatts of power would be saved at peak periods. Mr Anderson said 15,000 CFL bulbs had already been distributed at Bubuiashie in Accra, Suhum and Keta.

He said they had developed a regional and district segment under which the incandescent lamps were being replaced. "We take the incandescent bulbs and replace them with the CFL," he said.

"The Commission has appointed Regional and District Coordinators to distribute the lamps. The District Assemblies are involved in the district and have organised a task force for the exercise. The Commission will coordinate and supervise." Government has been working to increase the amount of energy available to end the crisis caused by a dramatic drop in the level of the Akosombo Dam, which normally generates about 1,100 megawatts of power.

Mr Eric Yankah, Acting Chief Executive of the Volta River Authority, has said it would, together with government, as an immediate measure, install about 392 mega watts of thermal capacity plants by the end of the year to bridge the supply gap that has occurred as a result of the crises from the dam.

He said as part of the additional short-term projects the VRA was partnering with the government to ensure that ongoing negotiations are completed to ensure the commissioning of the 125-mega watts Osagyefo Power Barge. Furthermore Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are currently pursuing projects that generate power.

Mr Yankah has spiked speculation that the two opera ting units at Akosombo would be shut down, as water level has begun rising. Mr Joseph Kofi Adda, Minister of Energy, has said Ghana requires an estimated 4.5 billion dollars in the short to medium term to meet the infrastructure development requirements for reliable and efficient production and supply of energy.