FINANCIAL constraints faced by power utility Zesa are derailing plans to install five million energy-saver bulbs in a bid to save up to 200 megawatts (MW) a day, the power utility’s spokesperson Fullard Gwasira has said. STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT
Speaking on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (Zetdc) and Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) joint customer education campaign in Gweru on Friday, Gwasira said plans to reach the five million energy-saver bulbs were being hampered by financial constraints.
Gwasira said Zesa had already installed one million energy-saver bulbs with the power utility saving 38MW daily.
“If it was not lack of funds, our plans were to reach the five million mark and save 180MW daily,” Gwasira said.
At the beginning of this year, Zesa acquired one million bulbs from South Africa’s Kgabo Engineers after the power utility paid $2 million for 1, 8 million bulbs.
The power utility installed 350 000 bulbs in Gweru, Bulawayo and Chitungwiza for free.
The bulbs commonly referred to as compact fluorescent lamps, last for approximately 8 000 hours while incandescent light bulbs last about 1 000 hours.
Addressing delegates to the education campaign, Zetdc acting commercial director Ralph Katsande said installation of the energy-saver bulbs is one way that can help reduce load-shedding.
