The government wants every household to install energy-saving light bulbs by 2016.

The UN Environment Programme announced yesterday that South Africa was the first African nation to undertake a comprehensive national transition to energy- efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.

The programme's executive director, Achim Steiner, said he did not know how much the changeover would cost consumers.

He said the government had a critical role to play in promoting energy efficiency and should consider options such as reducing electricity tariffs and offering an introductory subsidy on the price of energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.

Though energy-saving bulbs were more expensive than incandescents, they lasted much longer, he said.

South Africa would be able to electrify more than 4million homes with the electricity saved from phasing out incandescent bulbs, Steiner said.

Incandescents are unlikely to be available by 2016.

Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said South Africa would reap benefits from the transition to energy-saving bulbs.

"South Africa faces important power shortages, which will be greatly mitigated by the phasing-out of incandescent lamps. The electricity saved by the phasing-out will be directed to more pressing social needs.

"South Africa is committed to mitigating climate change. This measure is a key action."