Ravi K rules out need for immediate emergency power purchases

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake during the inspection tour

• Believes power conservation by public would reduce need for emergency power 
• Says former practice was to wait till last minute to buy emergency power
• Wants to prepare early for power purchases
• In talks with Norway for renewables push

Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake has ruled out the immediate need for emergency power purchases and called on the general public to instead conserve power to reduce demand.

“Previously if there was a shortage of power during the last week before power cuts have to be implemented emergency power would be purchased. But we have decided to change that method and prepare for such a situation at least a month before to bring transparency into the system,” Karunanayake told reporters after observing Ceylon Electricity Boards (CEB) Athul Kotte control centre.

Karunanayake believes the CEB needs to move towards alternative energy generating methods to meet the increasing demand for power in the country. He noted power conservation could be used to curtail excessive power demand.

“If every citizen turned off two light bulbs we can save up to 100 MW for a year, which could prevent us from emergency power purchases,” he added. 

Karunanayake said the CEB has been focusing on the way to reduce demand as a way to moderate generation and reduce losses that have been incurring during the last few years. He said as the Government has failed to implement any new power projects over the past five years, the CEB has been struggling to meet demand.

Earlier this month the Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development had decided to purchase 100MW of emergency power, terming it as ‘supplementary power,’ without obtaining prior approval from Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka (PUCSL). 

Under the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Act, No. 31 of 2013 CEB has to obtain the approval of PUCSL to purchase emergency power.   

Meanwhile, Karunanayake met with Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Thorbjorm Gaustadsaether yesterday and discussed ways to promote renewable energy in Sri Lanka. During the discussion, Karunanayake pointed out that Government has taken initiatives to raise the awareness of energy conservation and sustainable energy generation.

He also highlighted the importance of moving towards solar energy as Sri Lanka as hydropower generation is already at full capacity. He noted that solar energy could be generated at household level, which could be used as a way to cut down the costs of the CEB.