No electricity tariff relief till April, despite increased rainfall

• The CEB has incurred a loss of Rs. 12Bn since January 2023

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama  

Despite the Ceylon Electricity Board expressing optimism on  electricity tariff in the light of increased rainfall in the catchment  areas, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera predicts such  relief is only likely in April next year.  

 While addressing the media (CEB) media spokesman Noel  Priyantha said on Friday that with the increase in hydropower, there is a  high possibility of electricity bills being revised.   
He stated that there has been very heavy rainfall in the  areas of the reservoirs generating hydroelectricity. As of yesterday,  96% of the reservoirs were filled to capacity,  
However, Minister Wijesekera said on Saturday that if there  is an operational profit through the financial calculation of the CEB  by December, then the relief will be passed on to the consumers in  April.  
“So far, rains have been experienced in the vicinity of the  hydroelectricity power plants. However, the CEB is still not profitable.  Since January this year, the CEB has incurred a loss of Rs. 12 billion,”  he added, while addressing a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat.  

Increased rainfall in reservoir catchment areas is boosting  electricity generation. If this trend persists through December and the  CEB achieves a profit, consumers may benefit from the surplus, the  Minister observed.  

He also said that the new Electricity Bill, which was  prepared with the aim of streamlining the activities of the Ceylon  Electricity Board (CEB) and providing an efficient and excellent service  to the consumers, will be submitted to Parliament within the next two  weeks.  

“It must be said that the restructuring of the Ceylon  Electricity Board has been discussed for a long time in the country. The  report on the restructuring of the CEB and the proposal related to the  new Electricity Act was presented to the Cabinet during the meeting  held last Monday. It has been possible to get Cabinet approval for this  Bill,” the Minister added.  
Also, the relevant departments have been instructed to  revise the fees charged for re-connection after power cuts, according to  the minister. “Accordingly, it is hoped that the reconnection fee,  which is currently Rs. 3,000, will be revised to between Rs.1,000 and  Rs.2,000,” he said.