Future Looks Dim for Energy-wasting Bulbs

Environment minister Wong Kam-sing hopes to reach agreement within the next two months over the phasing out of incandescent lightbulbs.

"A public consultation was launched in 2011 to phase out incandescent lightbulbs, starting with the least energy-efficient types first," Wong said after a public event to promote energy efficiency yesterday.

The European Union and countries such as Switzerland and Australia have been phasing out incandescent lightbulbs since last year. The United States and Malaysia are due to follow suit next year.         

Wong said the Environment Bureau has opted for a "charter plan" rather than legislation to achieve this.

"After studying comments by the public, we have chosen a charter plan under which an agreement will be reached with lightbulb traders to stop supplies," he said.

"Lightbulbs will be phased out entirely," said Wong, adding the exact time frame will be agreed by both sides. "The government is finalizing details with traders."

When asked if the scheme will be voluntary, he said there is a wide consensus in the industry to phase out such bulbs.

"I am optimistic since both the public and the trade share in the importance of saving energy," Wong added.

It is proposed the sale of incandescent lightbulbs, of 25 watts or more, will be banned if they fail to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard.

In his policy address in 2009, then chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen proposed a cash coupon scheme in which the public would receive HK$100 coupons to exchange for energy- saving lightbulbs.

But the scheme never took off and it was scrapped.

The Energy Saving and Environment Concern Alliance welcomes the "charter" plan.

"At least we are seeing the government take this a step further," said a spokesman for the alliance, adding that it is a good development.

According to the alliance, some lightbulbs such as the tungsten halogen lamps, widely used in commercial displays, will be temporarily exempted from the ban as there is no effective substitute.

The alliance said instead of switching to energy-saving lightbulbs, consideration should be given to switching to LED bulbs that have longer life and may be 10 times more efficient than incandescent ones.

Some industry experts believe that within 10 years, LED bulbs will save more energy than other green technologies including high-voltage power transmission, electric vehicles, smart grids or renewable power.

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