Bangkok--4 Oct--Philips Tesco Lotus has signed a contract to install electronic ballast, a new energy-saving technology from Philips Electronics (Thailand) Ltd. Over 55,000 units of the equipment worth over 20 million baht will be installed in over 200 stores nationwide - Value Stores, Talad Lotus and Express. The company expects to save 9 million baht annually, part of ongoing efforts to combat global warming. Tesco Lotus Chief Executive Jeff Adams said, “this agreement reaffirms our leadership in energy and environmental conservation, in which we have a clear policy of quarterly reviews. Over the last five years, Tesco Lotus has invested 445 million baht in energy-saving and environmental initiatives, with ongoing savings of 723 million baht. This year, the company will invest an additional 131 million baht to realize annual savings of over 129 million baht. “Tesco Lotus has been committed to finding ways to save energy, and especially on using power in our stores. For this reason, we have joined forces with Philips, a forerunner in lighting efficient energy management solution, in a contract worth over 20 million baht to install electronic ballast in 200 hundred of our stores; Value Stores, Talad Lotus and Express. This is expected to save 9 million baht per year, while making the store environment brighter for customers of Tesco Lotus.” Mr Prakorn Makjumroen, Chairman and CEO of Philips Electronics (Thailand) Ltd, and General Manager of Lighting Division said, “Philips is proud that Philips electronic ballasts have been chosen to be part of Tesco Lotus’ energy conservation programme. There are a number of clear economic benefits of electronic ballasts, primarily a typical 20 percent reduction in energy costs. This automatically translates into lower energy bills.” Using electronic ballast with a 36 watt-fluorescent lamp, the energy consumption is reduced from 46 watts to 36 watts because electronic ballast consumes only 4 watts of electricity, compared with conventional ballast that consumes 10 watts. Thus this technology reduces the electricity consumption for a fluorescent lamp which previously consumed 36 watts, to only 32 watts. Additionally, lamp life is extended. Fewer lamp replacements mean further savings and minimized disruption. Electronic ballasts dissipate less heat, which reduces the burden on air-conditioning systems, once again saving costs. The Philips electronic ballast also provides greater efficiency of light quality both in the consistency of light and the maintenance of 90 percent luminosity. It also helps to reduce eye strain as the high-frequency operation means the light from lamps is uniform and easier on the eye. The electronic ballast also has a safety feature of a circuit which automatically cuts off power if the light has not been activated after five seconds, while heating and blackening of tube ends is also reduced. Mr. Prakorn added that Philips packages energy-efficient lighting solutions with a lighting consultancy service for retail shops, supermarkets and hypermarkets to enhance their business efficiency and combat global warming.