The state of Qatar will join a growing list of countries in banning the sale and import of incandescent light bulbs here for energy-saving reasons, according to local media reports.

Kahramaa informed the Central Municipal Council about the plan earlier this week, the Peninsula newspaper reports, saying the first to be banned will be 100 and 75 watt bulbs, followed by 60 watt bulbs in phase two. Last to be banned will be 40 watt bulbs.

The national utilities provider hopes replacing incandescents with lower-wattage, energy-saving bulbs like compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs will contribute to a planned 20 percent reduction in electricity consumption in the country over the next five years. 

Qatar is said to have the highest per capita usage of electricity in the world, with 15,000 kilowatts consumed yearly.

Countries around the world, including the United States, much of Europe, India and China have begun restricting – if not outright banning – the use of incandescent lightbulbs for environmental reasons.

Credit: Photo by Anton Fomkin