TAIPEI: Higher electric power discounts for those who save on electricity in Taiwan are having an effect in terms of reduced power demand. The energy conservation reward program was launched last July.

The program has helped save 39 million kw/h of electricity across Taiwan during the past ten months.

At an award ceremony honoring ten consumers who conserved electricity, Taiwan's economic affairs chief Yiin Chii-ming announced five new energy conservation initiatives. Topping the list was an expansion of the discount program.

"We are giving more incentives to the public (to save electricity). The discount rate will increase from 70 percent to 80 percent," Yiin said, in reference to the maximum discounts under the program. The new rates will go into effect on July 1.

The program will be expanded to all social and public facilities. Under the existing plan only households, primary schools and secondary schools are eligible to participate.

Yiin said all 260,000 incandescent traffic lights across Taiwan will be phased out by 2011 under a NT$1.236 billion program.

Replacing them with LED traffic lights could save 85 percent of power consumption, or 93 million kw/h, a year.

Taiwan's 25 counties and municipalities will receive NT$130 million to assist them in replacing mercury vapor street lights with LEDs which consume only half the energy of standard lamps.

Solar power facilities will be installed at more public buildings such as schools, cultural and social centers and traffic hubs. Through the NT$484 million scheme, the government aims to generate NT$1 billion in sales for Taiwan's solar power industry.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 05/20/2009 page1)