What is wrong with dimming the lights from the facades of houses and shops?

The writer, Ghassan Mohamed Assilan, wondered why do not we turn off extra lights in our homes and rest houses, especially in rooms and places we do not use?! Why do not we use energy-saving lamps? What is wrong with reducing the outdoor lighting of houses and shops?
Assilan wrote, in his article in “Sabq” newspaper: “Our economy is almost entirely dependent on oil. Studies and research indicated that we consume about (40%) of our production of oil, and half of this quantity is consumed to produce electricity”.
Experts emphasize that there is a wasteful use of electricity in KSA, due to ACs, in particular, the central ACs operating day and night stopless in many places, including supermarkets, government offices, companies, and a large number of houses.
“Modern lifestyle has made the electricity-powered appliances and devices an essential part of our life. They include computers, laptops, mobile phones, tabs, and other domestic appliances such as heaters, refrigerators, electric ovens, dishwashers, etc. We cannot imagine our lives without electricity!” he added.
“With the constant increase of population in KSA, electricity consumption will definitely increase. Hardly a day goes by without the demand for electricity increasing. This is an alarm of severe consequences. Reports of some economy-related institutions and agencies indicated that in 2030 we might be obliged to consume all our production of oil. This means that we will not be able to export a drop of oil. This will be extremely difficult for us because our economy is still dependent on oil by no less than 96%. The seriousness of this situation should make us all feel responsible for stopping this wasteful increase in electricity consumption!” he added.
“There is no doubt that there is low social awareness and perception of energy problems and their severe impacts on different aspects of lives. We must adhere to the solutions developed by relevant agencies of the state to rationalize electricity consumption to save energy. The use of renewable energy resources should be expanded at the present and in the future, such as using solar energy to generate electricity, supplying buildings with ACs, and heat water in winter should be increased, especially this does not require significant experience.” Dr. Ghassan Assilan said.
“The society should clearly be acquainted with these facts and the risks ahead due to wasteful increase of electricity consumption. To achieve this objective, SEEC has launched a campaign “Wafarat wa Anwart” to raise awareness among citizens and residents and change the behaviors of energy consumption into simple behaviors ensuring energy saving.” he added.
He stressed that the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO), in cooperation with SEEC, has developed the “Taakkad” App to verify the information on the EE labels of electric devices and lamps of houses, public facilities, commercial shops, rest houses, etc., and the fuel economy labels of vehicles. This app aims to activate the supervisory role of the consumer to detect the products non-compliant with the technical regulations approved by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization under the initiatives of Saudi energy efficiency program.
He added: “Based on our awareness of our interests and the interest of our country, each one of us must participate in reducing and rationalizing electricity consumption. No one should diminish his efforts, as society embraces all of us. So, the efforts of all of us will make a difference. What is wrong with turning off excessive lights in our homes and rest houses, especially in the rooms and places we do not use?! Why do not we use energy-saving lamps? What is wrong with reducing the outdoor lighting of houses and shops? What will happen if we reduce the lighting of the chandeliers frequently used without any need?! Why do central ACs work day and night stopless, even though most of our government offices are empty after four or five O’clock in the afternoon?”
He concluded the article stating that: “We must now – by God’s help – make a bright future for our next generations. This can be achieved only through our conscious behaviors that preserve and protect our resources and not waste the wealth of our country. This is exactly what our great religion has warned us from, as God says “But be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.”