Energy efficient fans to save millions for tea industry

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

This was decided at a forum organised by the Tea Research Institute, and Plantation Development Project to discuss the issues arising due to the rising fuel and energy cost.

Chairman TRI Dr. Gerry Jayawardena said it was for the first time that owners of 600 tea factories ,Tea Planters Association, Finance managers and the TRI met and shared their experiences on this issue and the progress will be monitored subsequently.

Deputy Chairman Forbes and Kahawatte Plantation Dan Seevaratnam said all the companies as an industry has a social responsibility towards this national issue. He said that there is a huge potential in this industry to manufacture these fans and a large number of skilled and unskilled employment generation up to installation and monitoring of the fans.

At present 400 factories will need a minimum of ten fans each and the maximum number required would be 5,000. Already 500 fans have been replaced. The cost per fan will be Rs 50,000 to 60,000 and they can be locally produced.

Therefore it is a great leap forward and a win win situation for the country and the industry as using oil has become a huge burden to the national economy, he said. The Tea smallholders who contribute 60 per cent to the industry also will be benefited by this.

Acting Officer In-Charge of the TRI Technology Division K. Ravindran said the electricity consumption in the tea sector comes to Rs.2,450 million per year and 61.3 per cent of the total electricity consumption goes for withering and this high cost on power for withering comes to Rs 4.50 per kilo.

He pointed out that cost of production could be reduced by Rs1.78/kgMT at Rs9.72 /kWH)by installing Variable Speed Devices (VSD)in withering troughs.

The participants were educated on the new trend and relevant matters by Plantation Development Project Director R.M. Premadasa, Head of Operations, Tea Smallholder Factories Dr Sarath Samaraweera and CEO,Energy Conservation Fund Harsha Wickramasinghe.