Power disruptions likely to end

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said yesterday power cuts would not be needed further as it had the capacity to meet the demand with the addition of 60 MW of electricity from the Barge-Mounted Power Plant in the Colombo Harbour and the addition of 71 MWs of power from Ace the Matara and Ace Sapugaskanda Power Stations.

CEB Media Spokesman and Development Director Sulakshana Jayawardena told Daily Mirror that 100 MW of electricity would be purchased from three private companies as well.

He said agreements had already been signed with two companies - V-power to purchase 48 MW and Al Taaqa Energy Services for 18 MW and added that the agreement to purchase 34 MW of power from Agrekko would be signed within the next few days.

“Electricity will be purchased from the three companies for six months. Al Taaqa Energy Services will install power generating units in Moneragala and Hambantota while the same will be installed in Hambantota and Horana by the V-power company. Agrekko will also install power generating units in Galle and Pallekele,” he said.

He said the Barge-Mounted Power Plant located in the Colombo Harbour was not operational during the time of the power cuts and that it was now operational and added 60 MW to the national grid.

When asked whether there was any increase in hydro-power generation with the onset of rains at various parts of the country, he said that no such increase had occurred and that hydro-power generation presently stands at 10 to 12 % of capacity.

He requested the general public to use electricity sparingly, so as to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the future. (Ajith Siriwardana)