Brussels set to switch off traditional light bulbs

The five energy-efficient light bulbs promised by the Nationalist Party before the last election - and still to be delivered - will soon come in handy because "traditional" high-energy filament bulbs are set to be banned in Europe.

The ban, which will apply to the whole of the EU market from 2010, was decided a few days ago by EU Energy Ministers during a meeting in Luxembourg.

The move is part of the EU's efforts to combat climate change.

The statistics are quite staggering. According to EU estimates, replacing the worst-performing lamps with today's best available technology may reduce domestic energy consumption for lighting by as much as 60 per cent - equivalent to saving 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution every year.

Although the more-efficient bulbs are currently more expensive to buy, environmental campaigners emphasise they are cheaper in the long run because they last longer and use far less electricity. In fact, compact fluorescent lamps use five times less energy than the incandescent filament light bulbs.

At the same time, as the market for the new light bulbs grows, their cost price is expected to drop.

The agreement was hailed as a positive step by conservation group World Wildlife Fund. WWF energy policy officer Mariangiola Fabbri told a news conference in Brussels yesterday that "keeping energy efficiency as an optional tool will not lead us towards the much-needed greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2020".

WWF said the light bulb decision was particularly welcome just days before the lifting of EU import duties on energy-saving lamps from China.

The end of this tariff regime is aimed at helping to bring down retail prices of the most efficient lighting.

Malta, which agreed with the ban, was represented at the meeting by Minister George Pullicino.

In the run-up to the March 8 election the government pledged to give away five energy-efficient bulbs to every household. It has not yet delivered on the promise but recently the Prime Minister mentioned it again in reference to an incentive package that would counterbalance the government's proposals that would mean higher energy bills.