Zambia’s Zesco has announced it has distributed 480,000 energy-saving bulbs over the million it planned to. North-Western, Central and Lusaka’s provinces were the major beneficiaries of the scheme. Henry Kapata, spokesperson of the company said it intended to distribute 650,000 more bulbs to the populations.

These bulbs will help the state save about 200MW. A result that pushed Zesco to introduce the exclusive utilization of such lamps.

In addition to reduce the power consumption of its user, these bulbs also last 3 to 5 years, thus 6 times more than ordinary lamps.

Considering the current state deficit of 1,000MW resulting from low water level at dams, this power-saving scheme is most welcomed. Zambia derives 95% of its power from its dams.

Gwladys Johnson