PUCSL allows CEB to procure 100 MW from private sector

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has permitted the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to purchase 100 MW from the private sector on the basis of a supplementary requirement, PUCSL's Corporate Communications Director Jayanath Herath told Daily Mirror today. 

He said the approval was granted following a request made by the CEB that there was an excessive demand for electricity that could not be fulfilled with the current insufficiency of power generation. 

“We warned in 2016 that we will have to face a power shortage in 2019 because of failing to build adequate power plants. Now we are experiencing the repercussions of not listening to what the commission said,” Mr. Herath said. He said the tender process in relation to purchasing of power would be carried out by the CEB. 

However, ministry sources said that though approval had been granted, the ministry was yet to finalise its talks on buying power from the private sector. Currently, the CEB generates about 100 MW a day from the Laxapana and Samanalawewa hydro-power stations, while a smaller quantity of power is generated from the Mahaweli. 

Although the Randenigala and Rantembe reservoirs are currently 80 per cent full, the water has to be saved for the harvesting season and will be released only after April when the season begins. (Sheain Fernandopulle)