Lightbulb exchange in Tobago today

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs’ National Lightbulb Exchange Initiative will head to Tobago today from 10 am at the Argyle Community Centre, Argyle. The initiative was launched on July 13, 2013, at the Penal Rock Road Hindu School and has since made stops in multiple areas throughout the country. 

Residents are invited to exchange two incandescent lightbulbs for two energy-efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which last longer, use less energy and costs less in terms of electricity usage. This initiative is a core component of the ministry’s National Energy Communication Campaign, now in its second phase on which the focus is promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation among the population. 

In addition to the lightbulb exchange, some 25 visitors may register for an energy needs assessment of their home, which may entitle them to have their most frequently used lightbulbs at home switched to CFLs. Participants in this programme will be required to provide their two most recent electricity bills before the caravan as well as their next two electricity bills following the outreach in order to assess the impact of the bulb exchange.

This impact assessment will be conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Physics Department, The University of the West Indies. Preference will be given to low-income households. 

The information collected so far shows that 70 per cent of the participant households obtained energy savings which translated into average monetary saving per cent on their electric bill after the installation of CFLs. Included in this Energy Day will be presentations and games with lots of prizes and giveaways. This pilot outreach activity will be taken to communities throughout T&T to encourage energy-efficient lifestyles.

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine said awareness of the energy sector and energy efficiency are two major initiatives that the ministry will place special focus on for the rest of this year, including more outreach activities in communities and events such as the recently launched Schools’ Energy Caravan.