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Published on April 25, 2008

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation

The "Saving Energy, Saving the World" programme is expected to help save 42.5 megawatts of electricity and 217 tonnes of carbon-dioxide emissions.

Philips, CP All, the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) are offering eight- and 14-watt compact fluorescent bulbs made by Philips for Bt75 each at 4,300 7-Eleven convenience stores.

The bulbs are said to not only help reduce energy consumption but also electric bills and global warming.

Chairman and CEO Prakorn Makjumroen said yesterday he expected the scheme to reach 1 million families nationwide through printed media, radio stations, points of sale at 7-Elevens, banners at PEA and MEA offices as well as PEA and MEA electric bills.

All 7-Eleven customers who buy the bulbs can get a Bt10 soft drink for free.

Prakorn said people in Bangkok tended to know more about the benefits of using energy-saving bulbs than those upcountry.

Compact fluorescent bulbs account for 40 per cent of the overall Bt6-billion lighting market, followed by fluorescent lamps at 35 per cent, he said.

The energy-saving bulb market already has many competitors and as consumers are using more of them, the market is consistently growing at 15-20 per cent annually, compared to 5-7 per cent for the fluorescent-lamp market, he added.