Hydropower capacity reduced to 20 per cent due to dry spell: Official

21 hydropower plants generate a combined capacity of 1441.7 MW

By Huzefa Aliasger

Due to the prevailing dry weather conditions in Sri Lanka electricity generated by using hydropower has reduced due to high levels of heat, an official from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Currently, 21 hydropower plants are stationed across the country. In total, these hydro-power plants have a capacity of 1441.7 MW, which has reduced due to the effects of the dry conditions, running at a minimum capacity of around 20 per cent contributing to energy output, whereas in rainy seasons it increases to around 60 per cent.

Media spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Dammike Wimalaratne told the Daily Mirror that the generation of electricity from hydropower plants is the fourth priority of Sri Lanka, as the water is used mainly for irrigation, sent downstream for villages and used in water purification processes to produce drinking water. After all those requirements are met before water is used to generate hydropower”.

Dhammike also mentioned that normally solar energy contributes more during these months at around 80% of capacity and is a cheaper alternative to hydropower plants as well due to high investments needed for hydropower plants and a lot of time in constructing it.

Due to the water being used for other conditions and current low rainfalls, the capacity of the hydropower electricity has decreased, however, the electricity generated from solar energy has increased, Mr. Wimalaratne said.

The CEB in order to increase electricity generation from hydropower is establishing a 600 MW Pumped Storage hydropower project which will store excess renewable energy from solar and wind sources, ensuring grid stability and supporting Sri Lanka’s goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, a media release by the CEB mentioned.

The project, located in Aranayake and Nawalapitiya, will feature two reservoirs connected by a 2.5 km tunnel, operating as a large-scale energy storage system, the CEB stated.