Govt. assures public of no future power cuts

• Start of power plants may make CEB profitable by 2023 
• But Power Minister says CEB losses to exceed Rs. 100 m this year  

By Shailendree Wickrama Adittiya

The Government yesterday assured the public there will be no further power cuts, despite dry weather and droughts, but asked the public to take caution with its electricity consumption. Addressing the press yesterday, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said hydro power generation was low at the moment due to dry weather and low water levels in tanks. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) update from Wednesday, hydro power generation currently accounts for 20% of total generation, while thermal oil accounts for 45% and thermal coal accounts for 35%.

He clarified that there has been no emergency power purchases made recently, saying, “We merely extended a previous emergency power purchase.” Amaraweera also spoke about the interruptions in power supply to various parts of the country on 3 February, saying they are likely to be an attempt at discrediting the Government. “We appointed a committee to look into this matter and prepare a report on it. We will present this report to Cabinet,” he said.

“According to the information we have received, it was done in an attempt to put the Government in a tight spot. We will conduct a broader investigation on this and action will be taken against all those responsible,” Amaraweera further added. The Government is also hoping to begin construction of the country’s first LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya this year and the plant is expected to generate 300 MWs.

Amaraweera said tenders for the LNG supply have been published, in addition to tenders for wind and solar power generation projects. While the implementation of long-delayed power generation projects are expected to turn CEB into a profit-making entity by 2023, the losses predicted for this year are Rs. 100 million to Rs. 120 million.