Ukrainian govt begins free exchange of incandescent lamps for energy-saving LED lamps

MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian government will launch a pilot program of free exchange of incandescent lamps for energy-saving LED lamps on January 16, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal said.

"A decision made by the government today will cut utility bills. This is a program of free exchange of old incandescent lamps for energy-saving LED lamps," the Ukrainian media quoted Shmygal as saying at a government meeting on Tuesday.

The program will kick off on January 16 in the pilot mode.

Initially, it is planned to replace up to 500,000 lamps in six regions of Ukraine before the project spreads throughout Ukraine in a regular mode two weeks later.

"Anyone can apply via DIIA and receive five new maps at the nearest office of Ukrposhta. The entire process will be very fast and simple," he said.

The European Commission is buying 30 million LED lamps for Ukraine, and France will pitch in another 5 million, Shmygal said.

As reported earlier, 15 million LED lamps will be supplied to Ukraine in January in furtherance of humanitarian initiatives of the European Commission.