Firms urged to adopt new energy technologies

Electricity Supply Corporation of MalawiI (Escom) has urged industrial and commercial customers to adapt to new technology to help reduce load shedding.

Escom regional manager for the Centre Mc Vittie Chiphwanya said this last week in Lilongwe during the energy efficient lighting led tubes project sensitisation meeting with industrial and commercial customers.

He said the sole power supplier was implementing a project that seeks to promote the use of energy efficient lighting led tubes which are cost-effective.

“It is estimated that over 30 percent of our power energy goes to lighting and the coming in of these bulbs could drastically reduce the demand,” said Chiphwanya.

Escom senior manager for commercial and customer services Wiseman Kabwazi said large customers are key partners, who can help in managing the demand for electricity.

He said Escom started using energy efficient bulbs in 2011 to improve demand side management, which resulted in saving 55 megawatts of power.

Kabwazi said K15 billion was invested in the process and continuation of the use of the bulbs could help reduce tariffs. A customer, Patrick Kaliwo, who works at Sunbird Capital in Lilongwe, said the meeting was an eye-opener to them as they have been introduced to new technology in terms of lighting, which could help to save power.