CEB shows efficient way

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will launch an awareness campaign to brief electricity consumers regarding how to use electricity efficiently while saving on electricity bills, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said.

In accordance with this program, a leaflet will be issued free to all electricity consumers in the country. The leaflet describes ways and means of saving electricity, the usage of novel inventions in the power and energy sector, the improper usage of electricity. For instance, instead of high power consuming tungsten bulbs, low power consuming CFL or LED bulbs are used in the world for lighting houses even though the majority of Sri Lankans are not aware of such novel inventions and technologies.

Sri Lankan domestic households can save Rs 8 billion annually on electricity bills by turning into energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or LED lamps.

It is alarming that Sri Lanka emits 11,500 tons of carbon dioxide to the environment daily by electricity generation through thermal power plants causing a severe impact on the environment, Minister Ranawaka noted.

Minister Ranawaka said the CEB spends Rs 10 billion annually for diesel burning power generating.

"Therefore the leaflet guides consumers to consume electricity efficiently while saving the environment," the Minister added.

CEB recently introduced energy efficiency rating system for CFL bulbs. People are encouraged to use energy efficiency electrical appliances considering it as a national task.

Mainly consumers can use energy efficiency appliances.

"By doing so any domestic user in the country can save 12 to 15 percent energy on their monthly electricity bill. As a whole the country can serve 400 GWh annually which equals to Rs 8 billion."