By JUDITH  NAMUTOWE –
AN alternative energy distribution firm, Zani Savenergy, has said increasing awareness on energy has the capacity to reduce the current power deficit by 40 per cent.
The company says whatever power the country is currently generating, about 40 per cent goes to waste due to lack of awareness on energy efficiency.
Zani Savenergy director Gertrude Chirwa said in Lusaka that raising awareness was the quickest and least costly way of addressing energy security in the country.
Ms Chirwa said this in an interview in Lusaka yesterday.
“Even with the current scenario in the country, from whatever we are generating, almost 40 per cent is being wasted. The wastage comes from the types of lighting we are using which is inefficient.
“But with the right technology, we can address this wastage that comes as a result of using inefficient lighting, excess heat generation in industries, equipment efficiencies and power usage when it is not needed,” she said.
Ms Chirwa explained that using 100 watt incandescent bulbs in 1,000 houses fitted with 10 bulbs each meant 8,760,000kw is consumed in one year.
However, if those were replaced with LED nine watts bulbs, it means 788, 400kw would be   consumed annually.
She said 664.3 million kilowatts would be saved and could go back to the grid immediately, thereby, reducing load-shedding time.
Ms Chirwa further urged the Government to consider banning the importation of all inefficient lighting systems like halogen bulbs and mercury vapour bulbs because they convert more than 50 per cent to heat and the remainder to lighting.
She said banning the incandescent bulbs would promote the use of more efficient LED lighting.