The prolonged dry spell affecting the Western Division has begun affecting the water level at the Monasavu dam.
This was revealed by Energy Fiji Limited chief executive, Hasmukh Patel who says water level at the dam is currently 21 metres above critical level.
Patel says there has been no rainfall in Monasavu for the last seven weeks and EFL has spent around $18m on fossil fuel monthly to generate electricity for Viti Levu.
“We are now very cautious. We are now drawing only about twenty-five percent of the electricity requirements of Viti Levu from Wailoa power station or Monasavu Hydro scheme and the remaining 75 percent bulk of it you know I would say about 60, almost about 60 to 65 percent is now being generated through the use of fossil fuel.”
Patel says they’re trying to conserve water at the dam.
“So the idea is that whatever volume of water we have right now there we use it in such a manner that it could last us for the next three or four months at least by the time hopefully we are deep into the rainy season by the end of December and surely the situation will change.”
Patel says EFL’s fuel bill this month was around seventeen and a half million dollars.
Fijians have been urged to use electricity wisely as the dry spell will continue through September and October.
