Save even more light: On 9 June, legal entities will join the EU and Government Light Bulb Exchange Programme through web portal DIIA

On 09 June 2023, a new phase of the Ukrainian government’s and the European Union’s nationwide programme to replace old incandescent bulbs with energy-saving ones begins. Since the launch of the programme on 30 January 2023, millions of Ukrainian citizens have taken advantage of the opportunity to receive modern light bulbs free of charge. Now, legal entities operating in the medical sector (hospitals, clinics, dental clinics, laboratories and other medical institutions) and in the field of education (kindergartens, higher and vocational educational institutions, general education institutions, sports, music, driving schools and others) can join the exchange programme. Given the high electricity consumption at educational and medical institutions, the operation of energy-saving light bulbs will have a significant energy and economic impact and will be a significant support to the Ukrainian energy sector, which is recovering from the devastating winter attacks by the Russian aggressor.

Yulia Svyrydenko, First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, said that household demand for energy-saving light bulbs has almost been met, so the government has decided to extend the exchange programme to legal entities:

“I am grateful to all Ukrainians who have taken part in the Light Bulb Exchange Programme, which aims to reduce electricity consumption. We expect nearly 4 million people to receive up to 20 million energy-efficient bulbs as a result of the programme. But our goal is to replace about 50 million incandescent bulbs to reduce the burden on the country’s energy system.“

On behalf of the European Union, Ambassador Matti Maasikas, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said:

“I would like to join First Vice Prime Minister Svyrydenko in thanking all Ukrainians who participated in the LED bulbs exchange programme this winter. Together with the tireless work of Ukrainian defenders protecting civilian infrastructure, energy sector workers and international support, these efforts have helped get Ukraine through winter. Russia has not managed to plunge Ukraine into cold and darkness and it will not succeed in the future. I am pleased to see the programme continue with public institutions as saving energy will remain essential.”

According to the decision extending the light bulbs exchange programme to legal entities, from 9 June 2023, educational and medical institutions in Ukraine will be able to exchange:

• 3 bulbs per 10 sqm of classrooms, teachers’ rooms, wards, treatment rooms
• 2 bulbs per 10 sqm of common areas.

To do so, the eligible organization should send a light bulb exchange request through the Diia portal by taking the following steps:

• log in to the Diia portal using the legal entity’s QES
• check the details of your organization
• in the Services section, select Light Bulb Exchange and fill in the request form
• indicate the area in the calculator; once you see the available limit, select the number and types of bulbs
• tick the box that you agree to hand over the same number of incandescent bulbs
• indicate the address of your organization
• check and confirm the data in the generated request form
• confirm your request with the legal entity’s QES.

Upon receipt of the request, Ukrposhta representatives will contact the organization on the phone number provided and advise on how to receive the energy-saving light bulbs.

It is important to note that the organization receiving LED light bulbs must return an equal number of incandescent bulbs to local authorities for recycling.

Individuals can still exchange old bulbs for modern ones in accordance with the relevant rules, and the exchange via the Diia app is only possible at Ukrposhta’s central offices in 23 localities across the country – cities with more than one million inhabitants and regional centers. Those wishing to exchange old bulbs for modern ones must have a passport, an identification code and up to 5 old light bulbs.

The EU and Ukrainian government programme to replace old incandescent bulbs with LED light bulbs has been running for three months, during which time Ukrainians have replaced more than 19 million bulbs, providing a strong boost to Ukraine’s energy front. In total, the programme covered 23,000 settlements, from small villages to regional centers.

The light bulb exchange programme is supported by the European Union in response to a call by President Zelenskyy and is being implemented by the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Ukrposhta in all regions of Ukraine except the combat zone and the temporarily occupied territories. The EU-funded programme is part of the European Union’s support to Ukraine’s energy sector.

Pressrelease