Huge energy savings potential in lighting, says IEA

Energy used on lighting worldwide could be 80% higher in 2030 than today if no action is taken to hold back the expected surge in demand, the IEA said in a new report published on 29 June.

"However, if we simply make better use of today's efficient lighting technologies and techniques, global lighting energy demand need be no greater at that time", said IEA executive director Claude Mandil. "The potential for energy savings in lighting is simply enormous and can be achieved with technologies that not only are readily available in the market but economically-competitive," he added.

At the global level, lighting currently consumes more electricity than is produced by either hydro or nuclear power and results in CO2 emissions equivalent to about 70% of the world's cars, the IEA said. Americans are clearly the most lavish with average consumption of electric light per capita standing at 101 megalumen-hours (Mlmh) in 2005. By comparison, Europe's consumption stood at 42 Mlmh per capita.

The IEA study - a request from the G8 Gleneagles summit of July 2005 - says the amount of electricity wasted in lighting is currently "enormous". Light, the IEA says, is routinely supplied to spaces where no one is present or shed in excess quantities in places where only small amounts would be enough. Larger savings still could be realised through the intelligent use of controls, lighting levels and daylight.

Following such simple measures would save more than 16,000 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030 - equivalent to about 6 years of current global car emissions - and would save 2,600 billion US dollars through reduced energy and maintenance costs, the IEA said.

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