Brazilian Energy Efficient Lighting Program
Mr. Carlos Alexandre Principe Pires is the Coordenador Geral de Eficiência Energética for the Ministério de Minas e Energia in Brazil. He granted the en.lighten initiative an interview and provided the following information on the energy efficient ligjhting transformation project in Brazil:
Question: Can you please tell us about the inefficient lighting phase-out policy for Brazil?
Answer: The inter-ministerial act nº 1.007, published on December 31, 2010, regulates incandescent light bulbs in terms of a minimum energy efficiency level, according to the Energy Efficiency Law number 10.295/2001.
The program begins on June 30, 2012, starting with 150 watt (or higher) light bulbs and finishes four years later with 25 watt (or less) sources. The manufacturers and importers will have six months from these deadlines to deplete their stock and wholesalers and retailers will have one year to do the same.
Brazil has two predominant voltage levels – 127 and 220 volts. Thus, it needs two energy efficiency minimum levels for incandescent light bulbs, as described below:
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Question: Is there a collection and recycling program in place?
Answer: To date there are only local initiatives when it comes to collection and recycling programs however, on December 23, 2010, the Solid Waste Law was published which regulates the various recycling programs in Brazil. Further initiatives are expected to be undertaken by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment.
Question: What were the key factors that motivated you to initiate such a program? What did you hope to achieve?
Answer: Essentially, energy efficiency was the motivating factor. We expect to increase the Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) market and encourage LED and OLED manufacturers to invest in Brazil.
Question: What were some of the barriers that you encountered and how did you overcome them?
Answer: Some adjustments have had to been made such as; postponing deadlines in order to meet industry schedules. We were able to overcome these with a double-check negotiation process, using online public consultation and a wrap-up seminar.
Question: What are the expected results of the phase-out program?
Answer: The phase-out program is expected to boost the transformation of the efficient lighting market in Brazil which will lead to job creation, the promotion of research and development activities and other positive initiatives.
Question: How is the program being promoted to the Brazilian citizens and businesses?
Answer: Immediately after the regulations were published, the initiative became a big news item in the media. Several TV networks conducted and broadcasted interviews and national newspapers published articles promoting the new legislation.
Question: Why should other countries adopt an energy efficient lighting market transformation program?
Answer: The lighting market is global and depends strictly on scale. Larger scales implies lower prices and with CFLs, LEDs and OLEDs, there is a quick payback, within a few months or years. On the other hand, it is necessary to improve labeling mechanisms to certify their lifetime. The greatest incentive is the motivation to replace outdated lighting technologies with more efficient ones thus, lowering the overall consumption of electricity for those countries who participate in such an important initiative. Established in 1991, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an independent financial organization which provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment.
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