Cabinet approves 55MW of emergency power

Sri Lanka’s power sector faces a “defining time” over the next fortnight as it awaits the release of water for the ‘yala’ season while the Cabinet green lights sourcing 55MW of emergency power with immediate calling for tenders as a fresh measure to avoid power outages. 

The decision was part of several steps outlined at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday night after considering expert reports commissioned by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Power Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. 

The 55 MW of power will be on standby for the next three months as the Government waits expectantly for more rain ahead of a dry season that is expected to be severe.

 The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is stockpiling water to be released for paddy cultivation during the ‘yala’ season on 15 April. With the water release in the middle of this month the CEB will have the capacity to generate 350MW of additional power, noted Deputy Power Minister Ajith Perera. 

“As a measure to increase the efficiency of power use, the Government will switch consumers to smart meters over the next few years. The Western Province will convert to smart meters in the next two years while the rest of the country will follow within five years. The meters will be manufactured by a local company,” Perera said. An estimated six million smart meters will be used for this plan, which is slated to begin in January, 2017.    

According to current projections, an average of 1000 GWh of power can be saved within the next five years if consumer demand is better managed and key equipment upgraded. 

“If such conservation happens, then the need of constructing 500 MW power stations within another five years can be avoided,” the Deputy Minister said. 

The program was prepared by the CEB, Lanka Electricity Company PVT Ltd, and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority to be implemented with the contribution of domestic, commercial, industrial and government sector consumers. 

The proposal for power conservation made by Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya - to appoint a Presidential Task Force and a National Steering Committee to implement the said program - was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Restructuring of the CEB is also essential to uninterrupted power supply, insisted Perera but stressed that such a revamping would not lead to privatisation.