Fresh plans to avoid power cuts

• As drought bites Govt. prepares to extend agreements with thermal plants and procure 60 MW from private sector 

By Uditha Jayasinghe 

As part of the Government’s preparations to avoid possible power shortages in the midst of the worst drought in a decade, Cabinet yesterday approved extended power purchasing from three thermal plants and the procurement of 60 MW to ensure uninterrupted supply. 

Under the new steps, Ace power plants in Embilipitiya and Matara as well as the Heladhanavi power plant in Puttalam will be given six-month extended power purchasing agreements from the Government. The electricity from these plants is expected to meet any shortfall in power over the next few months. 

“Currently, hydro reserves that are normally at 95% are now at 35%. We are trying to manage by shifting the sources of power generation. We call on the public to assist us by saving power,” Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith Perera told reporters at the weekly Cabinet briefing. 

A second Cabinet paper was also passed to procure 60 MW of additional power to the national grid. The ministry has been given the go-ahead to call for international bids to supply power for six months, according to the Cabinet paper seen by Daily FT. The generators are expected to be deployed within a month. 

Perera also called on the private sector to deploy their generators either to power factories or sell power to the national grid, promising to purchase a unit at Rs. 36.50. The Government estimates that a further 350 MW could be generated by these alternative means. 

“We are doing our best to avoid power cuts and if we are forced to do so we will announce it first. We will not hide and cut power,” he assured.