Govt. to put freeze on unrestricted AC use at State institutions

The Government is to issue a directive to control the temperature of air conditioning systems at all State institutions, Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced yesterday at a function in Ruwanwella. 

The Minister claimed that the temperature of air conditioning at all State institutions should be maintained at 26 Celsius. A circular to this effect is to be issued by the Ministry this week. 

The authorities are taking different measures to effectively manage the looming power crisis as a result of the continued drought. 

According to the Minister, the main tanks are only 36% full compared to the over 90% capacity recorded last year during the same period, the Minister said. 

The Minister highlighted that according to meteorological predictions, the dry conditions will prevail for another six months, making the conservation of electricity essential. 

“We will have to depend on coal and diesel power plants to generate electricity, so conversation is key,” he said. 

The Government aims to save up to 25 MW through conservation efforts and by advocating solar power as a source of electricity generation. Siyambalapitiya appealed to the public to conserve as much electricity as they could.