World Cup power problems spur demand for change

football has emerged as a force for social change, spurring the government of one fast-developing Asian country to embrace energy conservation.

A Bangladeshi official said yesterday the

28 million energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs across the country over the next 12 months to help ease a national power shortage. The programme is part of a US$38 million (Dh139.46m) energy conservation project funded by the

.

The announcement came two days after authorities asked factories in and around Dhaka, the capital, to suspend production during World Cup matches so that power cuts would not interrupt television coverage. Electricity disruptions during matches sparked riots last week, as thousands of angry fans stormed through Dhaka's streets, local newspapers reported.

Bangladesh is suffering from the

in its history, with power transmission through its overloaded grid at times falling to 50 per cent of demand.

The impoverished country is exploring options including

and

to ease its electricity problems.

Last week, Venezuela's government

due to the World Cup, and

watched their national team win on solar-powered TV.