Residents gathered for a town hall meeting to discuss a new lighting standard for Montserrat which will help to enhance energy efficiency.
Dr Erwin Edwards, chief executive officer of Atom Solutions, a global energy and technology services consultancy based in Barbados, is leading the development of the proposed regulations.
He gave a presentation at Montserrat Cultural Centre on 3 October in which he outlined the contents of the draft standard and invited feedback from attendees.
Edwards began by explaining that about 70% of the Caribbean region’s current lighting sources originate from China.
He said 40% are light-emitting diodes (LEDs), 39% are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and about 15% are incandescent bulbs.
The proposed standard aims to eliminate CFLs and raise the efficiency of LEDs, positioning Montserrat as a leader in energy-efficient lighting in the region.
Bulbs will be tested in Trinidad, with a focus on various factors such as startup time, efficacy, safety, colour rendering, power factor and lumen maintenance, Edwards explained.
This will ensure that only efficient and safe bulbs are allowed into Montserrat, improving decision-making capacity for consumers, he said.
“Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean, in the tropics – that is the environment that our stuff needs to be tested in, not in Europe, where the climate is completely different,” Edwards told attendees.
“The reality is that we can’t continue to accept what manufacturers claim, because we can end up with inferior products.”
Vital input
Edwards said he considered regional and CARICOM standards and conducted consultations with both public and private sectors, stating that these inputs are vital for finalising the new standard
Addressing audience questions, he discussed the practicality of testing and its implications for consumers. He also stressed the importance of public education and the role of retailers in selling compliant bulbs.
In concluding his presentation, Edwards outlined the next steps for implementing the new standard which include engaging importers, and establishing border control and surveillance measures.
He thanked attendees for their contributions, which he said he would consider when finalising the document, and added: “Hopefully 2025 will start with a new lighting standard.”
The Lighting Standard Project is part of the broader ‘Energy Efficient Lighting and Environmentally Friendly Lamp Disposal’ initiative.
Launched in April 2023, it aims to address the energy demands of Montserrat’s citizens by enhancing residential energy consumption efficiency.
The initiative is supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID) and funded by the European Union.
Watch the presentation in full below:
