Energy-saving light bulbs will soon be made available to the most needy under a Government stimulus programme.

Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, said that the Government had shipped in 150,000 LED bulbs which will be distributed “over the coming months”.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Roban said that each bulb could reduce electricity bills by $37 a year.

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Mr Roban said: “The past months have been spent in a thorough and rigorous procurement, ensuring the best value for money spent. The bulbs will come at a landed cost to Government of $1.59 each.

“We are also working, right now, on developing efficient ways for the public to reach out to us to let us know their level of need so that we can ensure this stimulus goes to them.

“This stimulus proposes to distribute an initial 150,000 LED light bulbs over the coming months to the Bermuda public.

“After this initial distribution, needs will be assessed at that point to determine whether a second phase of LEDs will be distributed, or another measure is implemented.

“First, we are targeting the most vulnerable, namely our seniors and our households with lower incomes.“

Mr Roban said that the Government will contact groups such as the Bermuda Housing Corporation and charities “to ensure that we can get the bulbs into the hands of those whom the reduced power bills can benefit most”.

He added: “For all those, who are not seniors or in a lower income bracket, who still want to take measures to lower their energy expenditures, we will arrange for them to be able to collect their bulbs at a convenient location.

“We are bringing in enough bulbs in this phase so that each household can have four A19 types that are a mid-range colour rendition because we all know that all LEDs are not created equal.

“A19 bulbs are the ‘typical’ light bulb hat is most frequently used in lamps and task lighting, and the colour is a warm white, neither too ‘yellow’ nor too ‘blue’, but close to the colour of sunlight.

“In addition, the bulbs will be the ‘dimmable’ variety, so that they may be used in any fixture that suits an A19 bulb, and all bulbs are UL listed to ensure quality.”