Turn off lights to cut consumption, urges BBL

Demand for electricity in Belgium this winter could be reduced by 800 megawatts just by turning off unnecessary lighting in schools, offices, hospitals and office buildings, according to a study by the environmental organisation Bond Beter Leefmilieu (BBL).

The measure, which would have no significant cost, would ease the pressure on electricity networks that are under threat of blackouts or brownouts – controlled power-cuts – this winter, as a result of the closure of the Doel 4 nuclear power station.

The power station was closed for repairs after what is being investigated as an act of sabotage and seems is likely to remain closed until at least the end of the year. The closure comes at a bad time for the power grid: Two other nuclear plants in Belgium have been shut down for two years because of defects discovered in their construction.

“More efficient lighting on a larger scale would allow a saving of 40% in electricity consumption in 75% of buildings in the service sector,” the BBL report states. “That could amount to a saving of more than 800 mW in peak demand.”

The further step of “relighting”, in which lighting systems are redesigned to make them more efficient, down to the type of bulbs used, could be achieved in two months and would results in power savings of 50 to 70%, the report says.

“Relighting is only a first step,” said spokesperson Sara Van Dyck. “We call on the governments to develop a comprehensive emergency plan for energy efficiency. Measures to cut consumption can provide a solution in the short term but also offer a structural solution to security of supply in the longer term, as well as to the problems of climate change and a growing energy bill.”

The example of other countries shows that energy savings can be implemented quickly: After the Fukushima accident, Japan was able to make up for one-third of the lost electricity through measures to cut consumption.

photo: ingimage