Leading lighting company Philips has today touched off a fierce battle in the energy sector by launching energy saving bulbs for Kenya and East Africa markets. The Light Emitting Diodes (LED) will replace the existing light bulbs in areas such as hotels and restaurants, saving up to 90% of energy consumption as well as reduced maintenance and replacement costs.
Speaking during the launch at Crowne Plaza, the General Manager, Philips Lighting Egypt and East Africa, Mr Tamer Abolghar said: “LED lighting offers both dramatic savings in energy use and maintenance costs, while at the same time enhancing the feeling of safety, security and comfort of people on streets and public spaces, in buildings and at home.”
“A switch to LED lighting, particularly in businesses will help combat climate change, save energy, reduce costs and improve people’s lives through increased well-being, safety and productivity where they live and work,” added Mr Abolghar.
Currently, lighting accounts for 19% of global electricity production, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). A worldwide switch to LED lighting could save energy consumption for lighting by 40% and up to 10 billion US dollars as per research findings by Royal Philips Electronics.
This equates to approximately 130 billion Euros per year in running costs and 670 million tons of avoided carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent output of about 640 medium sized power plants. The latest energy-efficient LED lighting combined with smart control and management systems could provide very significant energy savings of up to 80% in the commercial and industrial world.
LED solutions when combined with latest innovations in battery and solar developments can also provide practical and sustainable light for some 600 million Africans who are currently living without electricity. Solar energy is sustainable, safe and reliable and the use of LED bulbs optimizes this to provide future proof lighting solutions that are cost effective and in Africa is capable of saving energy output equivalent to 35 power stations and 7.5 billion Euros per year.
“As Phillips, we strive to improve the quality of life by providing innovative solutions. A switch to LED lighting, particularly in businesses will help combat climate change, save energy, reduce costs and improve people’s lives through increased well-being, safety and productivity where they live and work,” said the Philips Lighting Africa General Manger, Mr. Andre Dehmel.
The first installation of solar –LED bulbs in Marrakech-Morocco and trials in 12 cities around the world including London, Sydney, Toronto and Kolkota show improved visibility of up to 3 times more than the ordinary bulbs, 85% power saving and an increased sense of safety with the street lighting.
“Quality LEDs offer part solutions to some of the key issues and opportunities we face today such as the energy crisis, climate change, resource scarcity, safety in our lives, productivity in our offices and an enhances sense of health and well being to name but a few,” says Eric Heutinck, General Manager, Philips Lighting Maghreb and West Africa.
The world’s lighting markets are now starting to embrace the new technology and according to Philips, by 2020, about 75% of the global lighting market value will be LED-based.
