Government is determined to reduce the strain on the main electricity grid by distributing 800,000 compact energy-saving florescent bulbs to Ugandans.
The strategy, which was formally announced during the reading of the 2006/2007 national budget, will hopefully enable more households and businesses to access power from the hydroelectric dams in Jinja, Assistant Energy Efficiency Commissioner, James Baanabe says.
Baanabe says the one-time project will provide at least two energy saving bulbs for a few households around the country at a greatly subsidized cost. He explains that customers of national electricity provider, Umeme, will exchange normal bulbs for the energy savers. It is hoped that this will popularize the energy saving bulbs and increase their use.
Baanabe does not explain exactly how only 800,000 energy saving bulbs are expected to solve the country's energy crisis. He says the project is based on credible research which showed that only 600,000 bulbs are needed to reduce the strain on the national grid.
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The project was funded by a two million dollar grant from the World Bank.
Baanabe says initial discussions are leaning towards placing Umeme in charge of purchasing the energy saving bulbs. He says the bulbs will be specifically manufactured for Umeme with special brands to avoid their resale.
