IN 2018 Caricom decided to start banning incandescent lighting. This move was made in an effort to promote efficiency and energy conservation as well as protect consumers from having underperforming light bulbs, while providing tangible energy savings.

On September 19 this year Cabinet approved a ban on the import, export, manufacture, distribution and sale or purchase of incandescent light bulbs. The ban will take effect on April 1, 2023.

Studies were done by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) and the Ministry of Science, Education and Technology (MSET) in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The studies showed that switching from 60-watt incandescent bulbs to 9-watt LED bulbs in the home could reduce energy consumption by 85 per cent. The ministry recommends the use of LED bulbs as they are energy saving and have greater longevity.

LED lighting products typically last three to five times longer than contact fluorescent bulbs or 30 times longer than an incandescent bulb. Furthermore, it is estimated that replacing such bulbs with higher-efficiency lighting like LEDs could save Jamaica $1.3 billion per annum.

In the coming months, the MSET will embark on a more comprehensive public education campaign to inform citizens of the benefits of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy, efficient lighting technologies.

However, in recognising that other sectors in the market will need more time to adjust, for example, special permitting consideration will be given to small chicken farmers, the MSET said.

Following this decision, responsible minister Daryl Vaz, highlighted that this ban is another step in the Government's quest for the nation to become energy efficient and reduce its carbon footprint. "With the ban of incandescent light bulbs, we as citizens should experience a better lighting performance from energy-saving bulbs and also realise savings on our energy bills. We will also see a reduction in our overall Co2 emissions. Collectively, our goal should see us saving as a nation," Vaz stated.

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