Minister appeals public to save power

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: "Limit the power consumption to the possible minimum to face a crisis situation," Power and Energy Minister John Senevirathne appealed to the public yesterday.

Minister Senevirathne appealed the public to go early to bed in order to save electricity which is generated mainly using diesel incurring heavy losses to the Ceylon Electricity Board. He was speaking at a media briefing on the energy conservation held at the Ministry. "It is a national priority. We must shed political differences and unite to overcome this crisis," he said.

"China and India had already taken stringent steps to face such crisis situation in keeping with the ever increasing oil prices. The Cabinet after a long deliberation had come out with certain recommendations that would avoid major tariff revise," however, the Minister said a tariff revision was inevitable, since there had not been a revision for four years. "Once the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant is operational in 2010 the tariff would come down."

"TV stations who would telecast programmes after 10 pm would be liable to pay one million rupees per month," he cautioned. The Minister expressed confidence that the TV operators would corporate to save electricity. He said he would have meetings with the TV channel operators.

"The use of fans instead of air conditioners, and to set air conditioners at 26 degree celsius or above and use of CFL bulbs would substantially save electricity," the Minister said. "Consumers who effectively and tangibly take effort to reduce their electricity bills would be rewarded. If your this month's bill is lesser than the previous bill it shows that you have taken a genuine effort to save electricity."

"As an initiative all the government institutions should take effective steps to save power consumption at least by 20%" The Minister requested the private sector to take similar measures.

He noted that steps would be taken to remove the unauthorised street lights. Further the local authorities would be directed to light street lamps after 7 pm and to switch them off around five early morning.

"The hotels and large industrial establishments are encouraged to have their own power generators especially between 6 pm and 10 pm, the period during which the thermal power generation is at its highest."

The Minister said the soaring oil prices with the crude oil barrel expected to hit the US$ 100 due to the political unrest in the Middle East had increased the cost of the generation of the electricity unit enormously, incurring heavy losses to the CEB.

The Minister pointed out that the CEB was currently incurring a loss of five rupees from each unit of electricity generated using Diesel which would be amounted to Rs. 5 billion for the last four months. 60% of the electricity was generated by using thermal power.

Deputy Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Secretary to the Minister M.M.C. Fernando, CEB Chairman Chula Delgoda and ministry officials were present.