El Nino to hit Sri Lanka’s power generation

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Colombo, June 12 (Daily Mirror) - Amidst various forecasts regarding the impact of the El Nino phenomenon expected to hit Sri Lanka in the coming months, Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka said yesterday that the Ministry of Energy has forecast that the impact of the El Nino phenomenon could result in the reduction of 127 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the national grid in the coming months.

The Minister told Parliament that the Ministry has already discussed the possible alternatives to face the situation.

"As the Energy Ministry, we discussed the impact of the El Nino phenomenon on Sri Lanka's energy sector and the steps to be taken regarding that," the Minister said.

The Minister said the government is well prepared to face any possible situation which could occur in the country adding that the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Plantation have had separate discussions about measures to be taken in the event of an El Nino phenomenon.

The Minister said this in response to a claim made by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP D.V. Chanaka who questioned whether the government had formulated any programmes to face a possible El Nino phenomenon.

The MP said energy generation was badly hit due to the substandard coal and added that the situation will aggravate with the reduction of hydro power generation due to the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.

"The El Nino phenomenon will impact food production and energy generation in the country. We like to know the government's programme to face the situation," he said.