The replacement of one incandescent bulb by a compact fluorescent lamp (CFLs-energy saver) by each of 17 million users of our electric utilities, Wapda and KESC can help save about 1,374 megawatts of electricity during peak hours, said the energy conservation expert, Engr Arshad Chughtai.
Giving a presentation on 'impact of energy management on power planning' at Tusdec head office, he said, at present, the power consumption in the country was growing at a rate of 10 percent per annum, predicting that it would get double by 2015. "Major reason for the high growth is consumers' indifference towards saving electricity," he added.
Quoting an example, he said incandescent bulbs, perfected for mass use by Thomas A Edison in the late 19th century, were being phased out in several developed and developing countries at the moment and replaced with CFLs, which use only 20 percent of the energy consumed by incandescent bulbs.
The expert said the use of the CFLs would not only help consumers save a lot of money but also lead to austerity at the national level as generation of each megawatt of energy, at present, costs $1 million.
He said unlike other developed and developing nations of the world, most of the energy ie 43 percent of total generation, was consumed in Pakistan by domestic consumers while industry's share in power consumption was just 28 percent against 63 percent in China and 43 percent in India.
Engr. Chughtai said Pakistan with an installed power generation capacity of 20,000 megawatts, including that of recently installed two rental power plants, was presently facing a shortfall of 2,500 megawatt. He said the measures, including load management, energy conservation and generation of more energy should go side by side to ensure the energy security of the country.
He said the installation of Time of Day (ToD) and Time of Use (ToU) metres can also encourage the consumers to minimise the consumption of the electricity during peak hours as it would change their consumption behaviour. He also suggested the use of low-pressure sodium vapour lamps for streets and proper adjustment of thermostats for energy conservation. Tusdec Chairman Manzar Shamim and other officials were also present during the presentation.