Pakistan is facing a huge and growing energy crisis, a daily reminder of which are the multiple instances of load-shedding each day all over Pakistan. The crisis, of course, needs long-term energy generation solutions. But it also needs immediate energy conservation. And one important way of doing this is through Energy Saver Bulbs.
Pakistan is among a few countries taking off aggressively to use these energy saver bulbs. While people have been converting to them in millions during the last couple of years in this age of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) gadgetry and individual generators, the government has recently decided to import millions – 30 millions by a newspaper report – of these energy saver bulbs for reportedly “FREE†distribution.
This declaration of massive imports and their free distribution, if inappropriately administered, is fraught with potential dangers of corruption and abuse. Irresponsible persons can make fortunes at both ends of these transactions and at the expense of most economically solving the national problems of electricity shortages and environmental degradation.
In fact, it would be appropriate and in the national interest to manufacture these bulbs locally. That would support the existing manufacturing Industry which must be suffering factory closures, economic losses and lost jobs due to the en masse conversion from the incandescent lamps to these Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs, or CFLs.
Their massive use will supposedly combat the electricity shortage problem by using 75-80 % less electricity; lowering the individual bills and could also contribute to improved environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions. However, few people realize that they need to be disposed properly, failing which they can cause harm because of the mercury contained in them.
According to an estimate China is producing 70% of the world’s supply of these CFLs. There are many brands sold in Pakistan, prominently Phillips and Osaka etc., The packing containers for none of these sold in Pakistan show how to take care and dispose them when unusable. However, those sold in the USA are also made in China but they provide detailed instructions about care and their safe disposal. The local administrations also provide special receptacles at accessible places. The regimes are similar to worn-out batteries and used hypodermic syringes.
Those who are making huge profits from this trade in Pakistan should be made to support and subsidize a safe disposal and recycling program, nationwide. If not as a public service then to avoid potential liability lawsuits from those adversely affected. In a nutshell, we have been advised that the CFL bulbs are good for the environment, the energy crisis, our bank account, and global warming! They also need to be informed about the proper disposal procedures needed for them, failing which they can cause harm.
The Government should regulate and make available an Environmentally Safe and well protected disposal system. The Media, in particular TV and radio have to play their all important part to disseminate it. The importers/suppliers must also fulfill their legal obligations in this. Finally, people must organize their own neighborhood Collection/ Disposal arrangements if Government fails. It will be for their own safety and benefit.
Some Comments from the ATP Facebook Page:
– “A great deal of the solution will come from improving the distribution side – both technologically to reduce wastage during distribution and secondly by security initiatives to reduce theft.”
– “I think it is the best way to save electricity and to reduce the energy crisis as Energy-starved Pakistan plans to distribute 10 million low-consumption light bulbs to reduce the load on national grids. The state-run National Energy Conservation Centre (Enercon) Monday tasked the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) with arranging the delivery of energy-saving bulbs across the country”
– “major problems for pakistan about electricity: (1) defficient in rain (2) dams produce less electricity in winters (3) india is stopping our water (4) power theft (5) wastage during the electric supply by grid system (6) many power stations are not working due to mismanagement or lack of technical knowledge”
– “well, there must be an advance in the production of electricity via solar system or wind mills. coal should also be . there are long sunny days in pakistan, solar system can prove to be very suitable here. moonsoon winds on arabian sea can produce a greater watts of electricity via wind mills”
– “power theft must be stopped, grid system should be changed.”
– “oil in balochistan region should be exploited and used for this purpose”
– “i guess if coal in Thar could be used before internationally they might even ban producing electrictiy from coal due to enviromental hazards and such a treasure of black diamonds would be lost, so i wish they go ahead with it,
and i guess nuclear power plants wont be bad bet either, the nuclear power plant in khi only produces 80 odd megwatts of light am sure the nuclear plants in usa or other countries produce many folds light more then this so i guess the govt should really push and get the civil nuclear deal wid usa like india did, and i guess we all gotta hope ka khoob barashain hoon nd khair k saath hoon ameen :). long live Pakistan”
– “On a positive note this unbearable load-shedding signifies Pakistan’s economic growth in the last decade. There is also an economic theory that suggests that a nation’s development is measured by it’s annual consumption of hydrocarbons. We fare quite well according to this socio-economic indicator :)”
I am glad the govt is propagating them. This is a good subsidy because it saves the govt energy and people money and once people see the benefits of these they will themselves take this up more aggressively.
When I was growing up, my father had attached stickers from Enercon on every switchboard at home that advised us to switch off the lights/fans when not using them. 20 years of watching those stickers hundreds of times a day has had an effect and now I can’t stand wasted energy.
I think the Govt. should (if it can) mandate the use of such instructions on every socket, probably an imprint to keep it from deteriorating, to ingrain energy conservation in our psyche.
Unfortunately the energy crisis is a “crisis of management” who have no forward outlook, no five year planning or perhaps no planning at all.
Why were there no energy issues when Musharraf was President ??
The only words you will hear from the Ministers are that “there will be no load shedding from December onwards”.
Electricity is not a privilege but a basic necessity !!
If the govt cannot provide these, the people must protest by ANY MEANS NECESSARY to get their rights.
It is only a little time until the common people of Pakistan turn against their own country. The best way to get the Govt’s attention is to challenge it head on.
Excellent article on Pakistan’s Energy Crisis. Government should take serious steps to eliminate this crises.