| Serbia makes first switch to energy efficient lighting
 UNEP has worked hand in hand with the Serbian Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection, the University of Belgrade and lighting manufacturer, OSRAM, to demonstrate the multiple benefits of a transition to energy efficient lighting in Serbia.
The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Belgrade University has undertaken a pilot project in its main Atrium to replace all inefficient lighting with energy-saving light sources and controls. The annual energy savings of are expected to total approximately 75% and reduce CO2 emissions to 63.4 tonnes per year. The new lighting system was inaugurated on the occasion of University Open Day on 26 October 2013.
According to Professor Aleksandar Jovovic, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, “The en.lighten initiative is a very important tool in the fight against climate change. The pilot project shows that, with small investments, it is possible to achieve significant savings in electricity consumption and therefore, reduce CO2 emissions. As this project was realised at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, students who will, in the future, take care of energy and climate change in Serbia and in the region, will have experienced the importance of efficient lighting.”
A complete transition to energy efficient lighting in Serbia could produce annual energy savings of 1.7 terawatt hours, approximately 5.4% of total electricity consumption annually. This represents more than 110 million USD in electricity bill savings and a reduction of 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Such a transition would also avoid 137.5 tonnes of mercury emissions through avoided coal-fired electricity generation.
CFLs do not release mercury, unless broken during installation, storage or transportation. Mercury released from broken CFLs can be minimized by providing the public with information on how to prevent breakage and properly clean up and dispose of CFLs. The amount of mercury entering the environment from CFLs can be further minimized when mercury is recovered from spent lamps.
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