Accra, Nov. 15, GNA - Government on Thursday said it would set up a plant for the manufacture of Candescent Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) in the country as part of measures to promote efficient use of energy in the country.

Announcing this on Thursday during the presentation of the 2008 Budget Statement to Parliament, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said the Government would, therefore, introduce a legislation to phase out the importation and use of incandescent lamps. He said Government's efforts to resolve the crisis have focused on modernising and expanding power infrastructure, ensuring full cost recovery of power supply and the productive and efficient use of energy. "While increasing the percentage of households with access to electricity supply, Government is mindful of the need to conserve power," he said.

Under the proposed legislation, CFLs would replace the high power consuming incandescent lamps in the system. The Minister said standards would also be developed for streetlights, which had become very popular but were not governed by any regulations or standards. He said to reduce the rate of energy waste through refrigeration; energy efficiency standards and labels would be developed and introduced as well.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said as part of the measures to promote alternative energy sources, Government's efforts to secure the energy future of the country would include providing support for renewable energy sources. The key areas of concern in respect of renewable energy include solar, wind, small hydro resources, bio-fuel production and supply and the promotion of renewable energy technologies and their efficient utilization.

He said the Energy Commission would in 2008 develop and facilitate the passage of a Renewable Energy Law that would aim at ensuring that renewable energy was integrated into the national energy mix. Besides, he said, it would also develop and enforce standards and codes for renewable energy technologies. This would include standards for bio-fuels, solar lighting and solar water heaters. To encourage the production of bio-diesel, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Government would introduce special incentives, including the removal of excise duties, VAT and all local charges on bio-diesel for a minimum of 20 years. This would encourage the participation of private entrepreneurs in the sub-sector, he said. 15 Nov. 07