In accordance with the European Union Directive to improve the efficiency of some energy-using products, incandescent lamps will be phased out across Europe between 2009 and 2012, and replaced with more energy efficient alternatives. With the first stage in the implementation of the Directive on 1 September 2009, GE says it is confident it has the range and capacity to provide sufficient energy saving alternatives to meet demand.
Speaking about the phase out, Simon Phillips says: "GE's technology and product development have been driven by our GE Ecomagination business initiative, which was designed to help meet customers' demand for more energy-efficient products. Through this we have already been investing in the creation of innovative solutions to environmental challenges and delivering valuable products and services to customers. In lighting, this has specifically focused on developing our Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) range, which includes an incandescent-shaped CFL we are launching in September. We also have halogen alternatives and are continuing to invest significantly in the development of affordable LED solutions, as we believe this is where the future of lighting will be.
"It is impossible to accurately gauge where demand will be, but we have done our best to ensure that we are ready for the switch and are confident that our new range of EnergySmart CFLs will provide a welcome alternative to incandescents."
GE Lighting also recently announced the launch of its new range of High Output LED retrofit lamps, which enable the replacement of a range of types of mains voltage reflector lamps, opening up dramatic energy and maintenance saving possibilities for users. Offering low cost of ownership, these lamps achieve dramatic through-life savings and fast paybacks of within one year are achievable in professional applications, says the company.
Phillips concludes: "GE's LEDs are being used in a range of professional and domestic applications, from every Hilton hotel sign around the globe to a Grand Designs house build in Wiltshire. The potential for LEDs is enormous and it's exciting to be leading the way with our technology."
(Jim Evans)
