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Energy and EnviroFiciency
P
hilips
has launched a new initiative, which will see the installation of 100 ‘light centres’
across rural Africa by 2015. These are areas of approx 1 000 m2, or the size of a small
soccer pitch, which are lit using a new generation of highly efficient solar powered LED
lighting.The idea is to create areas of light for rural communities which live without electric-
ity thus effectively ‘extending the day’ and creating numerous opportunities for social and
economic activities in the evening.
Philips made this announcement at the concluding leg of its third consecutive Cairo to
CapeTown road show 2012, which has focused on topics relating to key challenges facing
Africa and how new innovations can address these: Mother and Child Care, energy efficient
LED and solar lighting solutions.
The light centres, the first 40 of which are scheduled for installation in late 2012, will be
focused on schools which are closely linked to villages and towns in off-grid or semi-grid
areas (this can also include parts of cities).
They will provide communal areas which can be used for sport and many other activi-
ties – healthcare, education, social, and commerce. They will extend the day by enabling
communal life after dark, create safe areas and support sanitation. Some 1,6 billion people
worldwide have no access to electricity. At the same time for people living near the equator,
darkness falls around 19:00 all year round, slowing down or completely stopping many vital
tasks. Philips’ aim is to simply enhance life with light.
The Philips Cairo to CapeTown road show 2012 started in Cairo in May and has made its
way across eleven countries and seventeen cities in Africa. During the road show, in addi-
tion to showcasing its new innovations, Philips has engaged with customers, governments,
NGOs and media on topics relating to key challenges facing Africa today.
Enquiries: Nick Kelso or email Nick.Kelso@philips.com.
Lighting Africa
Electricity+Control
Energy efficiency handbook: Volume III
Energy and enviroFiciency
Look out for this interesting and informative handbook to be published
SOON…
For more information, please contact the editor:
Wendy Izgorsek
Tel: 011 622 4770
Email: ec@crown.co.za
59
September ‘12
Electricity+Control