Power consumption exceeds 2,711megawatts:minister

Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ranjith Siyambalapiriya said that for the first time in the history, the country’s electricity consumption had shot up to 2,711 megawatts in the last week due to the intense heat experienced at present, that demanded the excessive use of air conditioners and fans.

Addressing a ceremony to commission the solar power system in the Anuradhapura Hospital, he said that the catchments of hydro power reservoirs had not experienced adequate rain for about three years and at present the water level in the said reservoirs stood at 51 percent of the capacity. However he stressed that the power supply in the country would be maintained uninterrupted. The minister pointed out the need to switch to alternative sources including solar power and wind power to avoid any possible shortage of electricity in the future.

“Ours is a tropical country that experience light of the sun for 12 hours of the day, which is a natural resource that should be tapped to generate power without any expense. The Ministry of Power is planning to provide solar power to all government institutions, hospitals and one million houses. The wind power project will be inaugurated on April 6,” he said.

Hospital Director Dulan Samaraweera demonstrated a replica of a power plant, propelled by the sea waves.

Engineer of the Power and Energy Authority Suriya Kumara Hettiarachchi and several senior officials were present at the occasion.