Public support enabled energy sector feats - Ranawaka
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
 The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was able to record a great
achievement in the energy sector in the past several years by ensuring a
round the clock electricity supply without resorting to power cuts. This
was possible due to the dedication and commitment shown by the public,
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika said.
|
P Mamperi who helped save electricity receives a certificate
from Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Right: Manamperi’s daughter with the certificate. |
“The main challenge faced by the CEB in September 2011 was to fulfil
the power demand during the first six months of 2012. The CEB had to
follow two methods to face this challenge. The two methods were to
purchase an additional electricity capacity of 100 megawatts from the
private sector or impose power cuts during peak hours,” the minister
said.
He said if the government purchased electricity from the private
sector, they had to spend Rs 13,000 million.
“The government understood that these methods were not suitable and
decided to launch a national power conservation programme. This led to
the Power and Energy Ministry's 'Today for Tomorrow' programme,”
Ranawaka said.
The minister was addressing a ceremony to distribute prizes to
persons who had contributed to save electricity while reducing their
electricity bills at the CEB auditorium recently. “Simultaneously to the
'Today for Tomorrow' power conservation programme, the Power and Energy
Ministry decided to provide relief to electricity consumers and grant
relief to the public who help save electricity. One hundred consumers
who helped save power during April were granted relief,” Ranawaka said.
The minister handed over 25 certificates to winners at the ceremony.
Ranawaka urged the public to make further assistance to conserve power
and energy to the future of the country. |
