| PILESLAMP Phase-out Project in China Progressing Rapidly
The UNDP/GEF/NDRC PILESLAMP project is in the process of facilitating the phase-out of incandescent lighting in China and intensifying the move towards more energy efficient lighting solutions throughout the country. In conjunction with all levels of government, and with the support of the lighting industry and various strategic public and private organizations, the initiative is expected to take 3 years to complete. By the end of the project, the lighting landscape in China will be radically transformed, which will allow for the full implementation of the draft phase-out programme by 2016.
In 2010, China produced approximately 4.3 billion CFLs and 3.9 billion incandescent lamps, of which 2.8 and 3.0 billion respectively, were exported for use around the globe. Thus, the proposed elimination of the import and sale of incandescent lighting in China, combined with the other phase-out activities around the world, is having a major impact on the industry. To facilitate the transition from incandescent into the production of more efficient alternatives, PILESLAMP is currently providing technical and business support to lamp manufacturers as well as to a number of other companies involved.
PILESLAMP is also supporting advances in product quality through a national check testing program, the upgrading of two national laboratories and providing technical assistance to R&D and quality management laboratories. Revisions to the national minimum efficiency and performance standards for fluorescent lighting are now also in advanced draft form.
During the transition process, environmental issues are being addressed. Clean production audits have been instituted to ultimately develop national measurement indexes for clean performance within the lighting industry nationally. Efforts have also been made to develop standards for maximum mercury content in lamps, and two recycling pilots are underway to investigate options for the recovery of expired lamps.
The promotion of efficient lighting products is a very important aspect of the project. Promotional efforts range from the creation of a partnership program for large commercial users to the development of China’s biggest ever lighting program. With government subsidies, support from the private sector and limited funds from the project, PILESLAMP has already targeted the delivery of at least 1.9 million lamps to benefit China’s rural poor. The projected savings from these installations is over $23 million in reduced electricity costs and the offset of around half a million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the life of the lamps.
The PILESLAMP project and the promotion surrounding it will result in the higher utilization of energy saving lamps in China through the transformation of the local lighting market and the phasing-out of incandescent lamp import and sales. This major initiative is in line with the GEF’s global lighting program that aims to transform the global market toward efficient lighting technologies and through accelerated phase-out of inefficient lighting, thereby reducing global GHG emissions.
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