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in the bid to supply 10.5 million bulbs, as the state minister for
power hinted at easing bidding conditions. "We are thinking of
relaxing the bidding conditions for local companies," Enamul Haque
said at the launch of a pilot project on the distribution of free
energy-saving lights. "It is not true that the bid documents target
only foreign suppliers," he said. "It does not matter who will be
selected. We are not ready to compromise on quality." Earlier, local
manufacturers said at least nine contradictory conditions in the bid
paper might stop them from taking part in the bid to supply compact
fluorescent lights (CFLs). Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd
(DPDCL) is implementing the pilot project to replace traditional
incandescent bulbs with energy saving bulbs and magnetic ballasts
with electronic ballasts. The government will distribute 10.5
million energy-saving lights in March 2010 for free, aiming to
replace incandescent bulbs. The government initiated the programme to
save electricity as Bangladesh is producing only 4 ,300 MW against
demand for 5 ,200 MW at peak hours. It is estimated that 10.5
million CFLs would save 312 gigawatt of power and $11.5 million a
year. DPDCL has taken up a pilot project to find a way the government
will replace the bulbs within a short time. Under the pilot project,
DPDCL will distribute 23 , 500 energy saving lights and 22 ,000
electronic ballasts to 10 ,000 customers in Mouchak and Gulbagh
areas in Dhaka. Presently, 45 percent of DPDCL's 7 ,04 ,198
customers are now connected with electricity, with a requirement of 1
,200 MW. If the area uses the energy saving lighting system, it will
be possible to save 90 MW of power, according to a DPDCL
estimation. Under a deal with DPDCL, Energypac Electronics Ltd, a
local manufacturer, will the supply the products required for the
pilot project. Traditionally, an energy saving light is 80 percent
power-efficient than an incandescent bulb. On the other hand,
electronic ballasts are mainly used in tube lights and can save 30
percent more power than magnetic ballasts. To obtain a free
energy-saving light or electronic ballast, a customer will have to
fill up a prescribed form and return the incandescent bulb and
magnetic ballast. Under the pilot project, officials will visit
door-to-door to distribute the bulbs and ballasts. The pilot project
will be completed by November. The Department of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and
Technology will supervise the project and make a report.
