The big switch: UAE to phase out energy inefficient incandescent bulbs by July 1

ABU DHABI // The import of standard traditional incandescent light bulbs is to be banned from July and they are expected to be cleared from shop shelves by the end of the year.

Environmental chiefs believe the move will save Dh668 million a year, cut energy use by 500 megawatts and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 940,000 tonnes – equivalent to taking 165,000 cars off the road.

From July 1 the low-quality bulbs will be replaced by more energy efficient light sources such as CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps), LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and halogen bulbs.

“This standard will ensure that the market carries only high-quality indoor lighting products that meet requirements. These include electrical safety, energy efficiency, functionality and a limit to the content of hazardous chemicals,” said Mohammed Badri, acting director general of Esma, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology.

“The new standards from July 1 will not allow any shipment of low quality lighting products into the UAE.

“One of the criteria is a restriction on hazardous elements like mercury in lamps. If the level of mercury exceeds the permitted level in CFLs, LEDs and halogens, they will not get entry,” Mr Badri said.

It is thought that of the Dh668m in savings, Dh452m will be saved by households, and the Government will spend Dh216m less on subsidies.

Energy efficient bulbs are more expensive to purchase, but a family in an average villa in Dubai would save about Dh2,315 a year by switching.

“Once a resident switches to a new energy efficient light, they will use 65 per cent less electricity and save 10 per cent on their bills,” Mr Badri said.

The measures announced on Monday are the start of a complete overhaul of lighting systems.

“This is the first phase in which we target all lights sold in the market for households. The second phase is for street lights and we are working with the Ministry of Interior for that. Then we will switch to big lights in stadiums,” Mr Badri said.

The second phase is expected to begin next year.

Mohamed Al Mulla, director of the metrology department at Esma, said any company that imported lights would be able to do so only from certified companies.

“From July 1 all manufacturers have to register for new certification in order to allow lighting equipment to enter the Emirates,” he said.

“By the end of 2014, the market will be cleared of all low quality bulbs as outlets will be given six months to clear those low quality lights which do not comply with the new standards.”

According to Esma, about 71 per cent of the UAE’s ecological footprint is from carbon, so reducing energy use will mean less CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.

It also said 57 per cent of the footprint comes from households, and 20 per cent of electricity consumed by households globally is used for lighting.

The UAE has one of the highest ecological footprints per capita, which means “we waste a lot of resources such as energy, water and goods and if everyone lived the same way, we would need 4.5 planets to sustain us”, Esma said.

Rashid bin Fahad, the Minister of Environment and Water and chairman of the Ecological Footprint Initiative steering committee, welcomed the lighting standard.

“The new UAE lighting standard will reduce the country’s energy consumption by 340 to 500MW a year, which is equivalent to not using an average gas power station for six months. By developing this standard, the ecological footprint initiative is successfully achieving its mission and is helping to bring economic and environmental benefits to the UAE,” said Mr Fahad.

Esma will now lead an implementation drive with manufacturers, retailers and other authorities.

anwar@thenational.ae