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The European Union (EU) has recently approved the withdrawal plan for incandescent light bulbs in all member states. It has established a three-year period during which each country must fulfil this objective, such that on 1 September 2012 no high-energy light bulbs will be available for sale. It is estimated that this measure will achieve a 60% energy saving, which is roughly equivalent to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 15 tonnes per year, according to the data used by the EU specialist committee. This committee has also assessed the financial saving per home in terms of the electricity bill, which is around 50 euros per year. According to the environmental organisations, the energy consumed by incandescent light bulbs is currently between three and five times greater than that of efficient light bulbs.


The three-year period established by the EU for the phasing out of incandescent light bulbs encourages the industry to adapt to a new production strategy. This substitution will lead to the transformation of some factories in the sector, such as those in Poland and Hungary, which are currently responsible for supplying most of the high-energy light bulbs in Europe. 


Sources at the European Energy Commission highlight that the lighting industry is currently working on improving long-lasting halogen and compact fluorescent light bulbs, the two efficient formats which will replace incandescent light bulbs. Both types have characteristics which can be improved, such as the fact that they are slow to light up and have progressive lighting. Both halogen and fluorescent light bulbs will enable energy savings of between 50% and 75%, respectively, compared to high-energy light bulbs.     

Spain is ahead of the European calendar 

From February 2009 onwards, the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) will start handing out 21.96 million low-energy light bulbs free of charge to Spanish consumers, which will take place by means of gift vouchers issued with the electricity bill, to the value of one low-energy light bulb per home in 2009 and another one in 2010. 
On 19 December 2008, the cabinet authorised the IDAE to sign contracts of supply, delivery and distribution with the relevant bodies in order to be able to launch the free delivery of low-energy light bulbs, amounting to a maximum budgeted amount of 42 million euros. 


According to the IDAE, an efficient light bulb with the characteristics of those which are to be distributed, saves some 100 euros during its useful life, since it consumes 80% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs to produce the same amount of light. 


With the introduction of this measure, Spain is ahead of the schedule established for the European Union for the gradual phasing out of high-energy light bulbs and replacing them with efficient light bulbs. The proposal is framed within the European plan to combat climate change, which includes a package of measures for 2020, including that of reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption by 20% (or 30%, in the case of an international agreement). 

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