AFTER a number of hiccups, the idea of distributing free energy-saver light bulbs to the country’s poor finally appears to be picking up steam. It was reported recently that the government is all set to award the Philips Electrical Industries of Pakistan a contract for the procurement of 20 million energy-savers from China. The deal is worth Rs2.8bn and has now been cleared by the Asian Development Bank, the major lender, as well as Agence Francaise Development, the other partner in the project. Partial delivery of the energy-savers, also known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps, is expected within weeks.

This is a positive move because Pakistan is in the grip of a severe energy crisis. But saving energy, significant as that is for the welfare of the economy, is not the full picture here. Power tariffs have skyrocketed over the last few years at a time when food inflation has also reached a point where millions of people can barely afford to eat properly. The free distribution of energy-savers can help reduce household utility costs besides benefiting the country as a whole on account of reduced energy use.

Implementation of this project may also win Pakistan valuable carbon credits in a time of global environmental turmoil. But there is a downside as well. Energy-saver bulbs are eco-friendly when it comes to power conservation. At the same time, however, CFLs contain a high level of mercury which could prove toxic if inhaled when a bulb falls to the floor. Also, a renewed and more vigorous campaign is needed in the print and electronic media to inform the public about the way in which fused energy-saver bulbs ought to be disposed of, wrapped in adequate covering that safeguards health. However, the pros outweigh the cons and the move towards energy-savers should be welcomed.