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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
THE Philippines sought loan
assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to procure millions
of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) that will be distributed to
lifeline customers to reduce peak power demand.
The Manila-based lender said in a
document that the country is seeking a $35-million loan for an
energy efficiency project. The proceeds will be used to procure 13
million CFLs for distribution to the country’s lifeline customers,
retrofit about 40 government-owned office buildings with efficient
lighting, and introduce energy efficient lamps for public lighting.
A survey done by the National
Statistics Office and the Department of Energy in 2004 showed about
7.8 million households are still using incandescent lamps at an
average of 79-kilowatthours per year. About 5.4 million households
use CFL.
The Energy department said
replacing incandescent lamps with CFLs would defer some 116
megawatts in generation capacity as incandescent lamps use 70 to 80
percent more energy.
Studies showed that CFL is
three to six times more efficient in terms of light output. It also
lasts longer, at 5,000 to 8,000 more hours than incandescent bulbs
at 750 to 1,500 hours.
The loan proceeds would also be
used to set up a laboratory for testing energy efficient appliances
and a lamp waste management facility; establish an energy service
company for promoting energy efficiency to public facilities,
commercial and industrial customers; promote an efficient building
initiative; and develop and implement a communication and social
mobilization program.
Earlier, the ADB had said that it
extended its existing Philippine funding program by two years to
support the country’s medium-term development plan.
The regional lender said it has
committed $924 million in loans until 2010. Of this amount, $624
million is earmarked for next year and $300 million at the end of
the term.
The country’s new strategy
would focus on fiscal consolidation, improved investment climate and
accelerated attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
As of last year, the lender had
approved $9.8 billion in public loans and $148.8 million in
technical assistance to the Philippines.
Through its private sector
operations for the same period, ADB had approved $275 million in
loans and $37 million in equity investments.
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