Electric Lighting

HC Deb 15 December 1983 vol 50 cc535-6W

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will launch a national campaign to persuade commercial and industrial consumers to switch to those new forms of electric lighting developed by British manufacturers which reduce energy consumption whilst improving light output.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

On 31 October my right hon. Friend launched a comprehensive publicity campaign directed at promoting energy efficiency and providing advice and information on the advantages of cost-effective energy savings. The campaign includes measures to promote energy efficient lighting. In addition, we have published a booklet on good lighting practice in the fuel efficiency booklet series; we have produced a film on lighting in factories and commercial buildings which is available for free loan; and we have supported a number of projects on lighting under the energy conservation demonstration projects scheme.

Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will recommend public sector purchasers to use a three-year payback period when calculating the benefits of putting in energy-saving installations such as new light sources.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The energy-saving campaign is designed to make consumers fully aware that many investments in energy-saving equipment can be highly profitable, with attractive payback periods. Public sector bodies are being urged to take every advantage of energy saving investments, within the resources available and their overall objectives. I would not feel it necessary to supplement existing guidance to the public sector on investment appraisal.

Mr. Roe

asked the Secretary of State for Energy what percentage of the total electricity generated is consumed by lighting; and how this percentage is changing.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Estimates on the basis of the use of electricity for lighting are made by the public electricity supply industry and published only for certain years.

The most recent figure relates to 1980, when 17 per cent. of the total electricity delivered to final users was estimated to be used for the purpose of lighting. Although this percentage has been increasing, no strictly comparable figures are readily available for earlier years. Expected technical improvements are likely to limit growth in this area.