Tonga launches Energy Efficiency campaign

Tonga launches Energy Efficiency campaign

admin | March 1, 2011 | no comments

NUKU‘ALOFA, Tonga:

As electricity prices rise due to the global petroleum market fluctuations, it has become a priority for the Government of Tonga (GoT) to implement projects designed to promote energy efficiency and general energy awareness in Tongan homes and businesses, as part of its wider energy sector Tonga Energy Road Map.

In February, the GoT launched its Energy Efficiency Public Awareness Campaign in order to provide the Tongan people with knowledge of simple energy efficiency measures they can implement themselves to reduce energy consumption. This campaign, implemented by the TERM is the first of its kind in Tonga, and will help people take control of their spending on electricity and make them aware of where any wastage is occurring.

The first stage of this campaign has been a series of radio announcements, in both Tongan and English, outlining the simple steps that people can take to reduce their power bills. The messages are in line with those that have been delivered in many countries to promote energy efficiency, but with an emphasis on appliances that are heavily used in Tonga, such as lights, fridges, fans and televisions.

The messages include:

• Switching off the light every time you leave a room
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• Buying energy efficient light bulbs
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• Switching off appliances at the wall when they are not being used
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• Keeping the fridge away from heat sources to prevent fluctuations in temperature
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These messages are now also being published in local newspapers, with the next stage of the campaign anticipated to be a television advertising campaign at peak viewing times. As the campaign progresses, and the public understands the very basic steps they can take to reduce energy use, more messages will be added to help people make further savings.

In addition to this public awareness campaign, the GoT plans to adjust customs duties on all appliances in order to make it more economically attractive for Tongans to purchase energy efficient appliances, in particular energy efficient fridges and freezers.

ENDS

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