Mediating effect of consumer behavior on the intention of self generation and energy conservation in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper explores the mediating effect of subjective norms and perceived behavioral control of consumers on running their generators under the selfgeneration scheme of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). 300 self-generating consumers in Colombo and Kalutara districts were investigated by means of structured questionnaire interviews to ascertain the nature of the issues prevailing with respect to the different incentive schemes introduced by the CEB. The data analysis was carried out using the Structural Equations Modeling technique available in AMOS 25 software package. The findings show that the bulk supply consumers who possess standby and prime power generators were found to be not financially strong to fully operate, the existing equipment too old and having poor performance, lack of fuel storage capacities at sites, environmental issues, lack of firm power to cover entire organization with available resources, high cost of generator spare parts, services and maintenance, lack of trained staff and bad previous experience on given incentive schemes etc. However, 70% of generator owners stated that the financial grant offered by the utility is insufficient to run their own generators whilst 33% of them do not possess the prime power to cater their total demand 24% of industrial consumers want CEB to hire a generator for them to operate during power outages considering the poor incentive level. At the same time, 47% of consumers expected a financial grant or possib e incentive to be paid in advance in order to relieve them from the additiona financial burden coming to their core business.