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SERA TO ELIMINATE INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULBS BY DECEMBER

By Majaha Nkonyane | 2018-03-20

The Swaziland Regulatory Authority (SERA) is working on phasing out the old light bulbs known as incandescent by the end of the year.

This was revealed by SERA’s Consumer and Stakeholder Management Manager Sikhumbuzo Nkambule, during the second roadshow staged by the company at Mankayane on Saturday.

The company is on a campaign to educate the nation on the importance of switching from the incandescent light bulbs and use either energy saving light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or lightemitting diode (LEDs) light bulbs.

The CFL and LED light bulbs are said to come with different features which could help in reducing the amount of electricity consumed by incandescent light bulbs. According to Nkambule, energy savers are good as opposed to the popular and low costincandescent light bulbs.

As the name suggests, they help customers save on the volume of electricity consumed, whilst on the other hand, incandescent light bulbs consume much more as they bring about heat when switched on.

On another note, CFLs and LEDs are said to have a longer lifespan compared to the incandascent bulbs which helps customers save on purchasing more light bulbs apart from paying more on electricity consumption. The company taught on the importance of efficient electricity use at home.

“Of note, is to mention that our customers need to be aware of the fact that it is important to save electricity.

Situations

This applies in different situations which include, amongst others, when cooking. Our customers need to use the right stove plates for the right pot sizes. When using a bigger pot on a small stove, more electricity is consumed,” he said.

Customers were also taught on the importance of applying for a quotation for every house for electricity connection. The process, according to Nkambule, is not supposed to last longer than 10 days from Swaziland Electricity Company, mainly in cases where there will not be a need to extend the network infrastructure before connecting the customer.

In the event it lasts longer than that for SEC to respond, customers were advised to engage the utility, preferably in writing, so that there is a record of all communication. Such records will be necessary in case the customer wishes to escalate their unresolved disputes to the regulator in future.

On another note, the company advised customers on the different stages of electricity installation.

“Other types of connections will require more power which is known as three phase connections. This could include, a welding business, a maize mill and others. In a case like this one, the quotation application request should not exceed a month. If there are problems even with this type of application, customers are advised to engage the utility, in writing first, before they can escalate to the authority if there is no positive feedback or resolution,” he said.

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