Cebu City (November 20) -- Every household can contribute in solving the power shortfall in Cebu by simply using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) which is energy efficient.

Energy Usec. Roy Kyamco said using CFL instead of incandescent bulbs (IBs) will reduce power load of which the reserve could be distributed to other areas where power supply is critical.

Sufficient power supply remains an issue in Cebu as apprehensions are ripe over the worsening power situation due to scarcity of power supply and growing electricity demand.

"Cebu's energy situation is tight," admitted Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) Chief Operating Officer and Executive VP Jaime Jose Aboitiz.

Aboitiz said "there is enough power supply but that if any of the power plants goes down, then brownouts are sure to happen because there is no power reserve."

The Department of Energy (DOE) is embarking on a program to switch back to CFL as part of their campaign under enhancing energy efficiency and conservation component of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP). Other components of the project are a) accelerating the exploration; development and utilization of indigenous energy resources b) intensifying renewable energy resource development and c) increasing the use of alternative fuels.

Around 13 million CFLs will be distributed throughout the country to household residents through the various power distributors and electric cooperatives as the DOE targets the full distribution to be finish by end of next year.

In Cebu, the DOE yesterday turned over 250,000 CFLs to the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) for distribution to household residents in VECO's franchise areas.

In order for household residents to avail of the free CFLs, one can simply go to the VECO offices in SM City Cebu, Talisay City and Consolacion and turn over two of their IBs in exchange for two CFLs. The IBs must be in good condition when they exchange these for CFLs.

Aboitiz said the 250T CFLs will deload power supply from VECO of about five to six megawatts which is equivalent to a total electricity demand of one mall.

About 450 megawatts of power will be saved if the 13M CFLs will be put to use, according to Kyamco.

Using CFL which is energy efficient is not only the answer to reduce power load in areas where power supply is critical but it also reduces carbon dioxide thus helping in the campaign to fight climate change, Kyamco said.

"Using one CFL alone reduces 200 kilos of carbon dioxide while how much more if we use 13 million CFLs," Kyamco stressed.

Reducing carbon dioxide helps in cleaning the environment and prolongs the life of the people, the DOE undersecretary said.

Carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases that are responsible in global warming drastically affecting a change in the climate. Climate change meanwhile, is a huge factor behind catastrophes such as flashfloods, flooding, landslides and typhoons and has become a global issue, this is learned.

Kyamco on the other hand, said the use of CFLs will earn the government carbon credits which will be converted to money.