Save energy

There has been much talk about energy conservation and even specific Ministries formed to deal with the subject. But so far it appears little headway has been made. It is in this light that certain suggestions made by Public Utilities Commission Chairman Dr. Jayatissa de Costa on ways to save energy assumes significance.

Addressing a media briefing, at the outset he singled out the public and private sector institutions as the chief culprits for the colossal energy waste. He cannot be faulted for this because the evidence is there for all to see. The most conspicuous of course are the burning street lights during the day time, a common sight in the city. Nothing can be more unforgivable than this.

We are not aware if the switching off of street lights are still the duty of the CMC or whether this has shifted to the public. There was a front page newspaper caption some time back which showed an illuminated street light at high noon right opposite, of all places, the Ceylon Electricity Board Head Office in Colombo 2. A classic case of physician heal thyself. This more than anything else demonstrates the apathy and callous disregard of the public institutions to energy saving.

If the very institution that is duty bound to lead from the front in energy conservation can be so irresponsible, the situation at other public institutions can only be imagined. Today one has only to walk into a Government Department to observe the true state of affairs in this regard.

The general sense of apathy and idleness that greets one is suitably complemented by the idle fans in empty spaces or ACs operating at full throttle in largely untenanted office expanses. This is augmented by the colossal waste of fuel on vehicles for non productive functions and for use by the top management for unofficial errands.

The private sector in this respect may be more circumspect unlike the public sector which has no qualms of wasting electricity for which the State pick up the tab although they (the Private sector) too have a lot to answer for the rampant waste of electricity at their institutions. Of course with the increased adoption of high tech methods in the private sector this is bound to happen but appropriate steps should be taken to minimize this waste through suitable steps.

The private sector, especially industrialists too should consider phasing out their working hours to shift basis so that these coincide with non peak hours. A massive electricity saving could be made through this system. They should also be encouraged to use their own energy sources. The Government has already offered incentives for such moves.

However, by and large the general public appears to be the most callous and uncaring when it comes to saving electricity. This is largely due to a pampered gadget oriented society that has taken everything for granted. Today many affluent homes are equipped with more than one TV / video set and most often these are switched on at the same time to cater to different sections of the same household.

The proliferation of computers even in middle class homes have aggravated the problem where the young engage in computer games or browse the internet at their own leisure without any sense of the time passage. A lot of electricity could be saved if these are used only when essential. Similarly with other electrical appliances where most often there is a laid back, lackadaisical attitude.

Dr Costa has suggested that the Education Department issue non iron school uniform material to students since it has been observed that ironing consumes a large chunk of electricity.

This could be a massive saving considering that more and more rural areas are being electrified on a rapid scale. There was a campaign by a former Energy Minister to have all households do their ironing at the same time other than at intervals to save electricity. This is a thing that could be followed without much difficulty.

It was also revealed that the Supreme Court spends Rs. 70,000 per day to operate its central air-conditioning systems. One shudders to think of electricity guzzled by Parliament now that proceedings have been extended late into the night. It would be appropriate if examples are set from the top.

When the public is aware that waste of all forms are rampant among the top echelons no effort would be made to on their part for austerity. What is needed urgently is to change the attitude of the public towards energy conservation in a more effective and persuasive way. \