Power campaign to involve shopping malls
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Shopping malls and large-scale supermarkets may be urged to lower air-conditioner temperature during April 4-12, to reduce their electricity consumption.
A source from the Energy Ministry said that the lower temperature by 1 degree celcius would reduce power usage by 300 megawatts.
He said that the commercial complexes may be asked to lower the temperature on alternate hours during 9am to 8pm. As this should reduce the use of diesel and bunker oil for electricity generating, the saved amount could be split among the complexes as incentives.
"This will require Provincial Electricity Generating and Metropolitan Electricity Generating enlist all the shopping malls and come up with a method to show the reduced power usage," he said.
Meanwhile, large-sized buildings will also be urged to cut power usage. He noted that industrial plants have so far avoided using power during peak hours.
"This initiative however needs the government's endorsement. If we win the supports, the initiative could also be enforced in every summer," he said.
