MEDIA RELEASE – 22 September 2005
34,000 Households Targeted to Save $10 Million Dollars
Christchurch-based company Energy Mad and The Tasman Network Trust are launching Ecobulbs in supermarkets in the Tasman
region. 34,000 Tasman Network consumers will be able to buy five high performance Ecobulbs at a discounted price of $10
from participating supermarkets.
The aim of the promotion is to save enough electricity to power 2,400 homes and save $10 million in electricity.
Ecobulb is an alternative to the ordinary lightbulb, lasts 10 times longer than the normal lightbulb, and uses far less
power.
Director Chris Mardon says that company plans to get five Ecobulbs into 800,000 New Zealand homes. This would see the
country saving enough power to supply a city the size of Hamilton or Dunedin.
“This is the way to stave off another power crisis and prevent the need for a new large power station costing $400
million,” he says. “It will also save the need for $800 million worth of new transmission lines.” The staggering
potential of the Ecobulb was confirmed late last year when the company ran its first trial project in South Canterbury
with the support of Line Trust South Canterbury, and the Pak’n Save, New World and Four Square stores.
“The first trial project saved enough electricity to power 1,500 homes and will save $6 million in electricity over the
life of the Ecobulbs,” says Dr Mardon.
Other regions are showing considerable interest in the Ecobulb promotion. The next regional promotion will be announced
shortly.
ENDS