What Prof. Perera and others need to know

Prof. Wilfred Perera (letter - Sunday Times, February 14) states that his electricity bill which was Rs. 20,000 per month has now decreased to Rs. 100. I suggest he cuts off the main electricity supply to his house and experience what would happen. The solar panels would instantly stop working and even if they work, there will be no electricity at night.

So the grid cannot be cut off. That means the grid is performing a service, for which Prof. Perera is not paying. That duty of the grid is to ensure all surplus electricity that the Professor has is “banked” on the grid. Then the grid gives it back to him any time any day, day or night, irrespective of whether there is rain or sunshine. And what more? In case Prof. Perera has extra visitors and needs more electricity, the grid gives it to him. Instantly, no questions asked.

It is for that reason, there should be power plants, including Norochcholai which the Cardinal, Prof. Perera and many others do not want. Ok, fine then: all of you who do not want this power plant or that power plant to be built, please fix solar panels at your Bishop’s house, office or clinic and then ask your supplier, CEB or LECO, to cut off your mains supply.

Coming back to Prof. Perera’s Rs 100 bill, if Prof. Perera is not paying for the service provided by the grid, someone else is paying it on his behalf, and who is that? They are the people who do not have a strong roof (low cost housing), any roof (apartments) or those who have no means to buy solar panels.

They are paying their bill and Prof. Perera’s bill too, so that Prof. Perera can enjoy electricity at Rs. 100 per month (and tell the government to produce all electricity with solar and wind).

Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya

Via email