The scheme was launched in Aragón on Tuesday this week, and will be extended across the country this year.

Residents of Aragón are the first in Spain who can now collect their free low consumption light bulbs, which are being distributed by the Ministry for Industry.

The scheme will be extended to other regions of the country later this year until a total of 21.96 million bulbs have been distributed, one per home in Spain.

Minister for Industry, Miguel Sebastián, said in Congress last week that 20 million new bulbs will save 160 million € a year, given that the estimated saving per bulb is 8 € a year when compared to a traditional bulb. The new bulbs result in a ton of CO2 less being emitted to the atmosphere a year.

The government is spending 2.5 € on each bulb, a total of some 50 million €, and some 22 million on distribution which is being done via post offices and a coupon which will arrive with the electricity bill.

There has been some comment that the bulbs have been imported, given that there are no Spanish manufacturers of low consumption bulbs.