EL SALVADOR CONSIDERS MOVING TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 001233

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ES
SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR CONSIDERS MOVING TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
TIME



1. Summary. The GOES is considering implementing a daylight
savings time change, advancing clocks by one hour during the
summer. El Salvador's neighbors and trading partners,
Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua have already implemented
the measure in order to reduce energy consumption in the
face of escalating global oil prices. Resistance to the
time change includes safety factors and a possible lack of
demonstrable energy savings. The President will make any
decision to advance the time after the Ministry of Economy
presents him with a study making the recommendation and its
associated cost savings. End summary.


2. The GOES is considering implementing a daylight saving
time change, advancing the clocks by one hour closer to GMT
for a time period yet to be determined. In a 1987 trial
with daylight savings, the measure lasted from May to
September. The change is hoped to save energy as less
artificial light would be needed during the evening,
decreasing electrical generation costs.


3. Neighbors and trading partners Nicaragua, Honduras and
Guatemala already switched to daylight savings time. A
highlevel public/private sector commission led by the
Ministry of Economy is studying the measure. Minister of
Economy Yolanda de Gavidia said the benefits of
synchronizing time with neighbors would include reduced
operational problems for cross border trade, which
particularly affects trucking companies.


4. Factors being weighed against the time change are that in
the mornings children may be going to school in the dark,
which would be a safety hazard, and the possibility of a
lack of recognizable cost savings. The 1987 experience
yielded minimal savings. A technical analysis conducted by
the Ministry of Economy shows that the time change could
save 1 percent on energy costs for the daylight savings
period. The President stated that he would recommend the
measure only after seeing the results of the commission.
Comment: The measure will likely be applied in order to
conform with regional time standards that would ease
business transactions, regardless of possible energy
savings. End Comment.

Barclay