The power utility CEZ reports Sunday a record drop of 56 megawatts of electricity consumption in Bulgaria's capital Sofia during "Earth Hour 2012".

The drop had been registered from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday, March 31, when the initiative took place.

The saved electricity is equivalent to the consumption of 940 000 standard 60 W light bulbs.

In comparison, during last year's campaign CEZ registered a decrease in consumption of 44 megawatts, and in 2010 and 2009 - respectively 38 and 22 megawatts.

Throughout the region, where the company operates, it has registered a decline of 138 megawatts in consumption of electricity during "Earth Hour 2012," which is equivalent to 2 292 million light bulbs of 60 watts.

"It is vital for everyone to not just turn off their lights for 60 minutes, but to transfer the philosophy of nature conservation in everyday life. Wise consumptio must become a way of thinking," said Petr Dokladal, regional manager of CEZ for Bulgaria.

The electricity company also participated in the initiative by turning off lights of its buildings in Sofia for 1 hour. CEZ urged all employees to join the common cause.

The lights of 40 emblematic buildings and monuments in Sofia went off exactly at 8:30 pm Saturday evening. This way Sofia and another 72 cities in Bulgaria joined the global initiative "Earth Hour".