The Malta Resources Authority will from Monday accept applications from suppliers of energy saving bulbs and from shops interested in joining the scheme for the free distribution of the bulbs. Yesterday’s Government Gazette carried the relevant notice.

Families will in the coming weeks receive a voucher entitling them to exchange it with a number of energy saving bulbs, according to how big a family is. A family of one or two will be entitled to five bulbs, of three or four to eight bulbs, and larger families will be given 10 bulbs. The number has been worked according to the number of persons registered as residents for the purposes of electricity bills.

The scheme has been alloted e4 million.

The government said the elimination of incandescent bulbs by 2012 should lead to a CO2 emissions cut in the EU of 15 million tons each year, equivalent to the annual energy use by Romania. Incandescent bulbs generally last between five months and a year, the energy saving kind use only 20 per cent of the energy needed for the same amount of light, and can last up to 12 times more.

Anyone having any difficulty about the scheme should send questions in writing to [email protected] or phone 8001-2212.

Suppliers and shops wanting to join the scheme can download the application form from www.mra.org.mt