Energy-saving lamps for paradise

Galápagos islands: OSRAM exchanges incandescent lamps for energy-saving lamps

On the beautiful Galápagos islands, OSRAM is replacing all incandescent lamps with energy-saving lamps free of charge to reduce the consumption of fuel oil and cut emissions of carbon dioxide. These emissions have increased considerably over the past few years due to the boom in tourism. “Thanks to their energy savings of 80 percent, OSRAM-DULUXSTAR lamps are ideal for minimizing energy consumption and CO2 emissions and therefore helping these endangered islands,” said Frank Leiter, head of the OSRAM Andina region (OAN).

Frank Leiter, head of the OSRAM Andina region, is holding a speech at the event for the replacement of incandescent lamps.

Source: OSRAM

The Galápagos islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. They were placed on the red endangered list in 2007. The use of inefficient fuel oil generators in particular means that CO₂ emissions on the Galápagos islands are around 80 percent higher than the worldwide average. OSRAM is now doing something of long-lasting benefit to reduce this impact.

OSRAM is replacing more than 25,000 incandescent lamps in households on the Galápagos islands with energy-efficient OSRAM DULUXSTAR lamps free of charge. Compared with inefficient incandescent lamps, these lamps save up to 80 percent energy and therefore more than 6000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over their entire life. In subsequent stages of the project OSRAM intends to improve the street lighting and also the lighting for public buildings and facilities.

The aim is to minimize the impact on the environment and the emission of carbon dioxide. “The remoteness of the islands and their relatively small size have enabled us to demonstrate on a small scale the huge savings that can be made with efficient lighting. Worldwide, more than one third of the electricity consumed for artificial lighting can be saved with energy-efficient products”, said Wolfgang Gregor, Chief Sustainability Officer at OSRAM.

“Galápagos is a treasure-trove of plants and animals that are unique in the world. By replacing inefficient lamps we are helping to protect the islands”, said Frank Leiter, head of the OSRAM Andina region (OAN).

About OSRAM

OSRAM is part of the Industry sector of Siemens and one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world.Sales for the OSRAM group worldwide in the year ending September 30, 2007 totaled 4.7 billion euros, 88 percent of which came from outside Germany.OSRAM is a high-tech company in the lighting industry.Around 60 percent of sales come from energy-efficient products.This global player employs more than 41,000 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 150 countries and has 48 production facilities in 17 countries.

Press contact:

OSRAM

Nadine Kleinert
Tel: +49-89-6213-3769
Fax: +49-89-6213-3457
Email: n.kleinert@osram.com