Commendable green move by OPM

I have just seen a call for tenders issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, OPM 19/2008, for the supply and installation of an automatic power factor correction unit.

For those not conversant with the term power factor, in simple terms, this is a measurement of the efficiency of the electrical installation in a building. Its value theoretically can vary between 0 to 1. The higher the power factor the more efficient is the system. A power factor correction unit is an apparatus that can improve the existing power factor to one that is higher thus ensuring a better usage of the energy being consumed.

The OPM is to be commended for such a move putting into practice the principle of energy saving and this should be followed by all the other departments and other establishments. I venture to propose that all those bodies and organisations requesting lower energy tariffs should make sure that their members have installed such a unit where the existing value of the power factor is a cause of energy losses. Any reductions accorded should be on condition of a minimum value of the power factor, say 95/98 per cent.