Kiwis embrace energy saving to the tune of $84 Mil

Media Release by Shell New Zealand and EnergyMad
23 August 2007

Kiwis embrace energy saving to the tune of $84 Million

Kiwis across the country have embraced energy saving to the tune of $84 Million in response to the Shell New Zealand Ecobulb Promotion.

Last month, Fly Buys, TrustPower and Housing New Zealand Corporation sent 1.2 million New Zealanders a voucher to purchase five energy saving Ecobulbs for just $10 from any one of Shell’s 200+ petrol stations. Additional vouchers were also available from the Shell sites.

As a result, over 650,000 Ecobulb light bulbs have been sold since the Shell New Zealand Ecobulb promotion began in early July, and today, Shell and Energy Mad have announced the extension of the promotion by two weeks – it will extend to 16 September.

Due to their energy efficiency, these Ecobulbs could save New Zealanders up to $84 million on their power bills over the life of the light bulbs. To put the power savings into perspective, this is enough electricity to power all of the homes Nelson and Marlborough for one year!

Mark Forsyth, Shell’s General Manager Retail says, “We are delighted with the success of the Shell Ecobulb promotion and by the savings our customers will make over the life of the Ecobulbs ”.

Energy Mad Director Dr. Chris Mardon says, “Kiwis are becoming more energy aware and this has been reflected by their enthusiastic response to this promotion. We had some Shell service stations sell out in the early weeks so we’ve now re-stocked and made vouchers available in-store to ensure that everyone has a chance to save up to $650 on their power bills”.

The project target is to sell one million Ecobulbs and the associated social and environmental benefits are extensive. Over their lifetime, these one million Ecobulbs could save consumers up to $130 million in power bills and save enough electricity to power Hamilton for one year.

The one million Ecobulb light bulbs could also save approximately 370,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is equal to the carbon dioxide saved by removing all the cars off Dunedin roads for one year. “Put simply, it is probably the biggest Climate Change reducing project undertaken in New Zealand” says Dr. Mardon.

The Ecobulb project is a joint initiative by Shell New Zealand, the Electricity Commission, Housing New Zealand Corporation and TrustPower Ltd. For more information visit www.ecobulb.co.nz or ring 0800 326 2852.

ENDS

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