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Wednesday, February 13, 1974
POWER COMPANIES SAVE MORE FUEL THAN EXPECTED
The power companies consumed less fuel oil than expected in tho
seven weeks between December 15 last year and February 1 this year.
The actual consumption was 167,000 tons, or about 16 per cent
below the expected 198,000 tons, the Financial Secretary, the Hon. Philip
Haddon-Cave, said in Legislative Council today.
He pointed out however that it was difficult to predict electricity
consumption, and hence fuel oil consumption by the power companies, because
for example of changes in the weather, and holidays.
Bearing this in mind, it appeared that oil consumption by the
companies was reduced by about 12 per cent during the same period.
This economy, he said was in anticipation of the 15 per cent reduction
in the normal 1974 oil supplies expected last December and the 10 per cent
reduction expected now.
"Reduced oil consumption by the power companies over the seven
weeks in question was the result of an amalgam of deliberate economies achieved
by both the public and the power companies aimed at preserving unrestricted
availability of electricity to industry," he said.
The economies, he noted, included restrictions on the use of electri.
lights outside certain hours, a total ban on floodlighting, an earlier
introduction of Summer Time, comprehensive save-fuel publicity, a reduction
by about 50 per cent of the power companies' spinning reserve, and a reduction
of two por cent (4 volts) in the power companies' voltage emission.
The Financial