Saving electricity

Jun 09, 2008 Editorial

As the price of crude oil rises inexorably towards the US$200 per barrel marker (with no upper limits in sight), it should surprise no one that the cost of generating electricity — which in our country is almost totally dependent on petroleum — will be subject to proportionate increases.

GPL has already alerted us to the inevitability of rising tariffs. To the long-suffering citizens, faced with escalating food prices, this threat has to be a double whammy, and the observation that both sets of rising prices arise from the same source is of no comfort whatsoever.

As the power company struggles to match demand to its (relatively) diminishing revenue stream, we must realise that Government subsidies – which have been requested — are not the answer.

In a country as poor as ours, every dollar allocated to keep the consumers’ price of electricity down is a dollar that was probably taken from a social service programme that was assisting the most unfortunate of our citizens.

Talk of “alternative energy”, whether from wind or water, which, like so many other resources, we have in abundance, will not help us in the present. And now is when we need relief. This is not to say that we should not proceed full steam ahead in these areas, but the reality is that these projects are some ways off.

GPL is already adopting survival tactics in the increasing number of blackouts that we are experiencing in all areas of the country.

The management can say whatever they want, but the Guyanese public has a long acquaintance with blackouts and their sources.

Even the excuse of “maintenance,” which is usually trotted out to placate the irate householders, has worn thin. But blackouts are one of the most devastating phenomena to visit our land, and we have to all work hard to ensure that they do not become endemic as in “the bad old days”.

Blackouts affect every strata, age group and constituency in the country: the student cannot study; the factory cannot produce; and the populace cannot sleep, because criminal activity peaks in the enforced darkness.

So what can we do to avert blackouts? For one, GPL can do a better job to highlight the fact that an inordinate amount of electricity is still stolen from the grid and it’s a case of ‘Peter’ having to pay an awful amount of money for ‘Paul.’

While we may all sympathise with those who may be having a hard time to pay their electricity bills, we cannot condone theft. Not to mention the truth that the vast majority of Guyanese are in the same boat.

It is our understanding that the power company is aware of vast swathes of our coastal population who are stealing electricity but are afraid to send their disconnection crews into these areas for fear of “trouble”.

Some previous contentious attempts reached the press. As in other areas of criminality, however, such behaviour cannot be allowed to pass. The state should assist the company in the regularisation of its customer base. The greater good is at stake.

The other area where the public, by its positive action alone, can make a difference is in the area of conservation of electricity usage.

Even though we are crying out about the cost of electricity and the blackouts, too many of us are not using our electricity wisely. Take the case of the now ubiquitous television – found in every home across the land, even in the most humble.

Televisions are typically switched on as soon as the family alights from bed, and are not switched off until the sandman visits at night. Surely, the use of televisions can be monitored a bit more frugally. And we can go down the list of lights, appliances and recreational devices that are now standard in our homes.

The sad reality, however, is that the general public is seldom self-motivated, even to embark on an activity that would benefit itself.

GPL ought to embark, in addition to the programme to reduce electricity theft, on a massive publicity drive to promote the benefits of electricity conservation by the public at large. We have to work together to save electricity in more ways than one.

Latest News

Saving electricity

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Pakistan targets West Indies’ vulnerability with spin-heavy squad...

West Indies U-19 Women defeat Nepal by nine runs...

Sir Clive Lloyd to Lead Operations at proposed...

Savory, Anderson batting form a good sign for...

GFF/Racing Madrid partnership brings new head...

Chatargum, Persaud headline Senior National...

Features/Columnists

The PNCR and AFC are a blight on democratic politics

Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal

A trillion-dollar business run by men with $10 heads

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Saving electricity

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]