The government, in conjunction with Kenya Power, is set to distribute 3.3 million free energy saving bulbs in a countrywide exercise set to begin later this year.
The project, implemented under the Clean Development Mechanism’s (CDM) efficient lighting programme entails replacement of ordinary bulbs (incandescent lamps) with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which will benefit about one million Kenya Power customers.
“Selected target customers for the project include low income households and Kenya Power’s Stima Loan (revolving fund) customers in various parts of the country, who will get a maximum of four bulbs,” read the statement sent to newsrooms.
Kenya Power says the project will help reduce demand for electricity as the bulbs use less electricity and consequently reduce power bills for customers. The project is expected to reduce demand for electricity from domestic customers and nationally help save 130 MW especially during evening peak demand.
According to Kenya Power, reduction of peak demand will consequently mitigate climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions estimated at 117,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
This year’s exercise is being implemented as the second phase of the company’s 2010 ‘Badilisha Bulb’ campaign which involved retrofitting 1.25 million CFL bulbs in exchange of ordinary (incandescent) bulbs.
During the project implementation, Kenya Power will carry out an awareness campaign to sensitise customers on the need to conserve energy by using available energy efficiently.
The entire project including distribution and retrofitting exercise in all regions where the power utility operates is estimated to cost Sh1.3 billion. The project is financed jointly by the Government of Kenya and the French Development Agency (AFD).
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