During festive season:

Call to use electricity sparingly

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Power and Energy Ministry appealed to consumers to use electricity sparingly during the festive season as the water levels of the reservoirs still remain low.

Ceylon Electricity Board Deputy General Manager S. Handagama told the Daily News that 75 per cent of the electricity need is generated using fossil fuel while only 25 per cent by hydro power. He told the catchment areas are only receiving a little rainfall during this inter-monsoonal period, although some parts in the country have received a considerable rainfall. “The water levels in the reservoirs are marginal at present,” the Minister added.

He said although there is a slight improvement of around 10 percent of the water levels than in February, still the consumers have to use power until the onset of the South Western monsoon rain in May.

Hydro power generates around 300-400 MW of 1,265 MW normal generation capacity of the country, which is fairly low, the official said. “Until there is an excess of electricity in the country it is important to use electricity sparingly,” he added.

Nationwide energy conservation progarm launched by the President in 2007 is still being implemented in the state institutions and would be continued in the future.

He said the Power and Energy Ministry and Sustainable Energy Authority is implementing the progarm.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Senevirathne earlier appealed to consumers to save electricity until the completion of two major power projects; the first phase of the 300 MW Norochcholai Coal Power Plant expected to be completed in 2010 and the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project which would completed in 2011, adding further 150 MW to the national grid.