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Considering the power generation mix availability, the electricity regulator forecasts Sri Lanka could manage supply with below three-hour power cuts till January 2023.
“Since February, we imposed power cuts to manage the electricity demand. At present, the bulk of the generation is via hydropower and we hope the resources can be managed till January this way,” Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman Janaka Ratnayake told journalists on Tuesday.
He also said that the electricity demand has come down by around 25% during the past couple of months, which could be due to prior awareness made on possible tariff revisions.
“We have noticed that electricity users tend to conserve energy once there is going to be a higher tariff, otherwise they take it for granted as it happened during the COVID lockdown period,” he explained.
The PUCSL Chief however said the country needs $ 100 million in the immediate future to import coal, noting the remaining stocks will only be sufficient till 20-25 October.
“Norochcholai is our biggest power generating plant and it is what provides the base power. Thus, importing coal necessary for the period from October to December is important,” he added.
He said Sri Lanka currently generates 30-35% of electricity using fuel.
