Nicaragua's 2013 residential lighting program: Prospective assessment

The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Nicaragua (MEM) is planning to launch in 2013 a massive replacement program of 2 million incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). This paper explores the expected impacts on a 10 year basis (2013-2023) using cost/benefit analysis for consumers, utility and society. Market conditions for introduction of a 7 W LED in the residential sector were also analyzed. Three prospective scenarios were considered in order to estimate the impact of CFLs penetration. Finally, the analysis is complemented with laboratory tests for eight lamps-three CFLs of the pilot program batch and one incandescent lamp 75 W; three CFLs and a 7 W LED available in the national market. Results supports that for countries like Nicaragua with an energy matrix still dependent on imported petroleum, energy efficiency programs are especially positive in economic and environmental terms. However, it is necessary to implement and to test CFLs programs requirements about high power factor (PF≥0.9) and low total harmonic distortion (THD≤20%).