Cuban Experts to Help Cut Electricity Cost

A team of Cuban experts has found a way to help this country cut its electricity cost by $10.26 million or US$3.8 million per year, equivalent to 4, 896 tonnes of fuel. {{more}}

“This would be an enormous savings,” Dr.Gonsalves told journalists at a press conference on Monday, March 13.

Dr. Gonsalves said the Cubans believe this can be made possible simply by replacing the incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.

The Prime Minister disclosed that he met with the three-member delegation March 11 at 8 p.m, and they reported to him on the findings of a recent survey that had been carried out throughout the state.

The Cuban team has estimated that they would require approximately 253,000 energy saving bulbs to be brought to St.Vincent and the Grenadines for the project.

The team is reported to have taken a sample of approximately 100 households from the regions of DuBois, Peniston, Glen and Calliaqua. These areas, said Dr.Gonsalves, are considered to be between the low to medium electricity consumption range.

Prime Minister Gonsalves has mandated VINLEC’s CEO, Thornley Myers, with the task of developing and carrying out a publicity and information campaign on the new project immediately.

Dr. Gonsalves said 30 young Vincentians will be drawn from the Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme to work alongside 30 Cubans to carry out the project for a period of 30 days.

“We intend to physically go around and change the bulbs,” said Dr. Gonsalves.

The energy saving bulbs are estimated to last a period of two years.