Kanchana reviews key energy initiatives for next season

• Reveals Lanka Coal Company float tenders, offered spot and term tenders for next season
• Says company aims to unload 40 cargos of coal by May 2024, first shipments will arrive next week
• Explains hydro power not sufficient and thermal power will be used to ensure uninterrupted service
• Predicts 2024 a dry year, CEB calls for least-cost private generation plants to be absorbed into national grid 

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday conducted a comprehensive review of crucial aspects of the country’s power and energy sector. 

Taking to ‘X’ he noted that the progress of coal procurement for the next season, the financial situation of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), power generation plans and forecasts for the next 12 months and other issues related to CEB were reviewed and discussed.  

He also revealed that the Lanka Coal Company has successfully called for tenders and offered the spot and term tenders for the next season. 

As per the Minister, the company aims to receive and unload 40 cargos of coal by May 2024. The first shipment of the season is set to arrive at Norochcholai next week.

“The CEB system control and management presented that the power generation has decreased in hydro generation capacity. The CEB system control estimates 3500-3750 GWh of hydro generation this year but will ensure an uninterrupted supply of power with thermal power generation,” he said. 

Minister Wijesekera affirmed since next year is predicted to be a dry year, the CEB has advertised calling for least-cost private generation plants to be absorbed into the national grid.