Thread: Panama switches on to energy-saving light bulbs

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama plans to hand out 6 million energy-saving light bulbs, nearly two per citizen, to ease soaring demand for electricity and prevent future blackouts, President Martin Torrijos said on Monday. "Operation Light Bulb" will require the government to buy $13 million worth of fluorescent energy-saving bulbs replacing the less-efficient incandescent ones. Following similar programs in Cuba, Venezuela, Europe and Australia, Torrijos said savings from the new bulbs would equate to constructing a 60-megawatt power plant for a tenth of the price. In recent years Panama's energy providers have struggled to keep pace with demand caused by the country's rapid economic growth, as Panamanians buy more electrical goods. (more)


In May, Panama City was hit by a series of electricity blackouts as demand peaked.


Panama says it is building 15 energy generation facilities to provide an additional 745 megawatts to the national grid from around 2012.


The first batch of 3 million light bulbs will arrive in Panama later this month and will be distributed for free in poor suburbs of Panama City.


(Reporting by Andrew Beatty, editing by Matthew Lewis)

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This is a good method for saving energy from the government. Let's hope that the poor people using it in their home, not sells it

Yeah.. it saves energy. The only negative point I had in mind when I visited Panama last time was the steep electricity bills which I got every month. I hope measures like this one will save electricity and make it more and more cheaper.

That's a great measure, people should be made aware of how they can not only save on bills but save the environment as well. I remember being in London when they did this and people were actually very interested and thought it was a great idea.

This is really amazing! It shows how Panamanians are eco-friendly and responsible. :-)

Originally Posted by Panamanian

This is really amazing! It shows how Panamanians are eco-friendly and responsible. :-)

Unfortunately, being eco friendly means much more than changing your tube lights. And Panama is faring much below Costa Rica in this regard, I am afraid. But anyway it is a good initiative. Hope they will catch up on to it...

Very true ford007.

Some of the ways in which Panama must improve ecologically and environmentally are:
-stop throwing all the garbage beside the road
-stop burning garbage including the deadly plastics
-stop using plastic bags in stores. In many other countries plastic bags are now banned. People are learning to bring their own reusable bags

-start a real recycling program including glass bottles and jars
-start composting programs
-start using rechargeable batteries (NiMh, LIon etc) instead of single use (alkaline etc)

Originally Posted by GordonS

Very true ford007.

Some of the ways in which Panama must improve ecologically and environmentally are:
-stop throwing all the garbage beside the road
-stop burning garbage including the deadly plastics
-stop using plastic bags in stores. In many other countries plastic bags are now banned. People are learning to bring their own reusable bags

-start a real recycling program including glass bottles and jars
-start composting programs
-start using rechargeable batteries (NiMh, LIon etc) instead of single use (alkaline etc)

That is exactly what Panama needs. Besides creating public awareness, govt. should also bring in some more stringent laws regarding garbage throwing and dumping of industrial pollutants. Plastic is a big problem everywhere in the world.

This is a great idea, I wish my home country US would do something similar. Youll save lots of money and its good for the environment.

Originally Posted by panamalove

This is a great idea, I wish my home country US would do something similar. Youll save lots of money and its good for the environment.

I think the situation in US is much better. In every major city, there are recycling plants. Industrial affluents are not dumped directly in to the rivers. You will not find over flowing garbage dumps in US.... well... except for places like Detroit..