• PUCSL Chief Janaka Ratnayake says electricity consumption has increased by 200 MW last week despite repeated appeal to consumers 
• 50 MW private sector standby generators added to national grid in support yesterday (2 Feb.)
• Reservoir water levels drop to 52% ahead of dry season 
• Asserts oil-fired plants alone cannot manage the demand if consumers don’t support 
• Insists preserving energy is must or load shedding will be inevitable
• Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila assures to provide fuel to CEB for a week

By Charumini de Silva

Electricity regulator, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday said the country is in a formidable position to supply uninterrupted power supply for next week, following Energy Minister assuring to supply fuel to Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

“The Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has assured a continuous supply of fuel to the CEB for a week; Lakvijaya Power Plant has been successfully connected to the national grid to deliver almost 300 MW and the Sojitz Kelanitissa Plant will also be reconnected to the national grid from today,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake told journalists yesterday.

Despite multiple assurance from the Government, nearly one-hour interruptions to the power supply were experienced in many parts of the country on Tuesday.

Although it was out of the purview of PUCSL, he said they intervened in the process to coordinate between CEB and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to secure enough supply of fuel.

“We have been successful in our negotiations. The Energy Minister verbally agreed to provide fuel for one week. The CEB owes around Rs. 90 billion to CPC for their earlier fuel purchases, and of that, CEB has agreed to pay Rs. 20 billion during this week. After one week, the CEB has to pay cash on delivery for diesel and furnace oil purchases,” he added.

PUCSL Chief said despite their repeated requests to preserve energy, he said the consumption has increased by 200 MW.

“The consumption has gone up unexpectedly from 2,500 MW to 2,700 MW within a week,” he said, urging the public to reduce the use of air conditioners and high voltage cooking equipment during the peak hours of 6 p.m.-10 p.m. everyday.

Ratnayake also said that 50 MW private sector standby generators were added to the national grid to support the efforts of the Government.

“The private sector has volunteered to provide their standby generators during the peak hours from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The effort will not burden the public funds of the CEB,” he explained.

Noting that the water levels of the reservoirs have dropped to 52% at present, the PUCSL Chief flagged red that oil-fired plants will not be able to meet the demand alone without electricity consumers’ support. 

“March onwards is the dry season and if we don’t preserve energy, load shedding will be inevitable,” Ratnayake cautioned.

PUCSL to hold discussions with Condominium  Management Authority today