Valletta, Malta - The Maltese government started distributing free energy-saving light bulbs to every household Thursday in a bid to cut down on hefty electricity prices.

The smallest EU state is still totally dependent on oil to feed its two power stations, which are believed to be stretched to the limit. The government recently unveiled plans to link up its power grid to Sicily and opt for alternative energy sources.

Ironically, the government announced its free light bulb scheme a day after the island was hit by a total blackout as both power stations shut down four hours - twice.

According to Resources Minister George Pullicino a total of 1.2 million bulbs of different shapes and sizes will be distributed at a cost to the government of about _4 million.

Households of one or two persons would receive five bulbs, those of three or four people are entitled to eight and bigger households would get 10.

The bulbs would reduce a family's lighting bill by 70 per cent and last 10 times longer than conventional bulbs, Pullicino said. Hefty electricity prices introduced in the past year led to a major defeat for the ruling Nationalist Party at the recent European Parliament election polls.

Malta's move preempts an EU initiative to gradually phase out all incandescent light bulbs and inefficient halogens by 2012. (dpa)