Energy-saving bulbs finally see light of day

The much-awaited energy-saving light bulbs have finally arrived, putting to rest any concerns or scepticism by those who thought these would never see the light of day.

Vouchers to collect a total of 1.2 million bulbs of different shapes and sizes were being sent out to Maltese households at a cost to the government of about €4 million, Resources Minister George Pullicino said yesterday.

Households of one or two persons would receive five bulbs, those of three or four people are entitled to eight and bigger households would get 10.

The bulbs would reduce a family's lighting bill by 70 per cent and last 10 times longer than conventional bulbs, Mr Pullicino said.

He admitted the scheme, promised more than a year ago, took longer than planned but the government had wanted to present a problem-proof scheme. However, there would still be teething problems, he acknowledged.

Speaking about the scheme, Mr Pullicino said it was ready almost a month ago but was not launched earlier in order to avoid it being labelled as an electoral gimmick.

The vouchers, which have security features to prevent abuse, can be exchanged for 17 different makes of bulbs at various hardware and ironmongery stores in Malta and Gozo.

Together with the voucher, families will receive a list of registered shops and a set of suggestions on which type of bulb to choose. The shops can be identified by a green sticker depicting a flower with 10 different bulbs as petals.

The vouchers can be exchanged until the end of October against an ID card. Mr Pullicino appealed to the public not to rush because there was enough time.

In March, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had announced the vouchers, promised before the last general election, would start being distributed by the end of the month.

Under new EU rules, conventional light bulbs will have to be replaced by energy-saving bulbs of the type being distributed by the government or by efficient halogen or incandescent lamps.