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| Wednesday, 10 March 2004 |
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by Rashomi Silva The Ministry of Power and Energy yesterday assuring there will be no power cuts despite the severe drought, offered compensation for industrialists, private and public sector institutions and large scale electricity consumers who volunteer to use their 'standby generators' to assist the country "at this critical moment". Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Viji Jegarasasingam describing the drought as the worst in 50 years, said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will pay an incentive of Rs. 3 per unit for standby generator users. The use of standby generators will help bring down the electricity consumption and increase the surplus supply by 100 MW during this month, Jegarasasingam said. "We are already receiving positive responses from heavy power consumers. It is a service and an act of benevolence, to help the CEB in anyway possible. We will be able to provide an uninterrupted electricity supply to institutions like hospitals, where such assistance may help even in saving lives," she said. Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, Head of the Short-Term Electric Power Situation (STEPS) and advisor to Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya said when the country faced a similar crisis in January 2002, the demand was 1,400 MW and the supply 1,200 MW. "But this year, the demand went up to 1,500 MW and the supply stands at 1,650 MW with a reserve margin of 100 MW, he said. Prof. Munasinghe appealed to the public to conserve electricity. "There are demands from the irrigation needs and National Water Supply and Drainage Board, we have to fulfil," he said. Other countries also face similar situations and there would be a huge response for this type of request, he said. |
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