Power conservation drive saves Rs. 433m

by Mohammed NAALIR

Electricity should be conserved for the sustainable future of humankind.

Our children should be encouraged to conserve electricity for tomorrow's generations, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said. Addressing the media in Colombo, he said conserving electricity is the only means of protecting future generations from darkness.

The Power and Energy Ministry and Ministry of Education with the sponsorship of Telecom Mobitel have launched an energy conservation competition for schoolchildren.

Minister Ranawaka said as a result of the first phase of the 'Today for Tomorrow' electricity conservation program implemented by the Power and Energy Ministry on March 20, over 1.9 million electricity consumers have lined up to conserve electricity.

He said 83 gigawatts of electricity could be saved during this period while also saving Rs. 433 million which was spent on fuel to generate electricity. Oil resources are decreasing day by day and as a result, the price of fuel is increasing, the Minister said.

The Minister expressed confidence that the energy conservation program will help conserve electricity by a considerable level.

There are 4.7 million domestic electricity consumers and more than two million have joined the program.

"Within three months we saved 95 gigawatt hours.

"If this situation prevails throughout the year, over 400 gigawatt hours of electricity would be saved", he said.

Addressing the media, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane said the project was a huge national duty.