National Drive to Weed Out Energy-Inefficient Light Bulbs Gains Pace

Written By: Oman Observer | Date: May 31, 2021

A national initiative to rid the Omani market of incandescent light systems, among other energy-inefficient light bulbs, is being formally unveiled tomorrow, June 2, at a virtual forum hosted by the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) with the participation of consultants tasked with formulating a strategy in support of this goal.

Invited to take part in the proceedings are importers, distributors and retailers of lighting systems that will be covered by the proposed national curbs. When eventually adopted and implemented, the national strategy will not only result in the complete elimination of energy-inefficient light bulbs from the domestic market, but also prohibit their local manufacture or import.

Earlier this year, the Authority appointed the partnership of Three Pillars Consulting (TPC) – Oman-based renewable energy and sustainable development specialists – and Econoler of Canada to assist in the formulation of a national programme to phase out energy-inefficient light bulbs from the country.

“The Authority has commissioned Three Pillars Consulting in partnership with Econoler to conduct a comprehensive study on phasing-out inefficient lights. The study will put forward a recommended national policy and programme to be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals for approval,” said the regulator in a statement announcing this week’s virtual forum.

The workshop, the Authority said, will provide an overview of the current lighting market and include an interactive session on a “range of policies that are being considered to phase-out inefficient lights and improve energy efficiency”.

According to APSR officials, the need to rid the local market of incandescent and other energy-inefficient light bulbs is not only driven by a desire to conserve limited natural gas resources – currently the principal source of fuel for power generation – but also help reduce Oman’s carbon footprint.

Furthermore, until state subsidy is completed phased out as envisioned over the next five years, power supply will continue to pose an additional fiscal burden on the government’s already constrained budgetary resources.

Most developed economies around world, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Australia and countries of the European Union have already enacted legislation banning the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of incandescent bulbs. This is because up to 90 per cent of the electricity consumed by an incandescent bulb ends up as wasteful heat energy rather than light energy. The advent of light-emitting diode (LED) based light systems, compact fluorescent lamps and other energy efficient systems has also led to the rapid eradication of incandescent light bulbs from many countries.