This initiative, according to Benon Mutambi the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) Chief Executive Officer will cost the government about $4.1m. The initial batch will be distributed to consumers starting January 2015.

“Consumers with high energy consuming incandescent bulbs of 20W and above will be asked to surrender those bulbs and will be issued with the light emitting diodes,” said Mutambi.

The Light Emitting Diodes are 7W and below and on the general market, they cost Ush15,000 ($6).

Uganda’s first attempt to distribute free energy saving bulbs was in 2008 when it received a $1.2m loan from the World Bank. The programme was halted in what the World Bank said was to encourage private sector investment in the energy sector.

The LEDs can last for over 50,000 hours compared to the ordinary bulbs that last between 8,000 and 15,000.

Mutambi said they have adjusted the peak weighting used in tariff calculation to encourage consumers to shift consumption from peak time periods (evenings) to off peak and shoulder time periods (day time and late night).

“We are also sensitizing consumers about efficient energy use through, among others, dissemination of information booklets titled ‘How To Reduce Your Electricity Bill,’ said Mutambi.

“Going forward, ERA will continue coordinating with distribution utilities and other stakeholders to implement comprehensive demand side management of energy efficiency measures. The benefits that will accrue from implementation of the measures will be energy cost saving to domestic consumers and demand cost saving to industrial consumers,” stressed Mutambi at a press conference in Kampala. Mutambi said only 249 individuals and companies are allowed to install electricity wiring or extensions to existing wiring on premises in Uganda.

Busiweek