Supply of fuel from CPC to CEB to be increased

Friday, 17 January 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Steps will be taken to increase the limit of fuel provided to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation from the current limit of Rs. 80 billion to Rs. 90 billion, following a request from the CEB.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Power and Energy Ministry said that despite the current limit, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has been continuously providing the CEB with fuel worth Rs. 84 billion, and has requested that the Ministry take alternative measures to address this.

The Ministry has also been told to take into consideration the increase in global fuel prices, as well as the increased power supply demands on the CEB when seeking approval from Cabinet to increase the limit to Rs. 90 billion.

According to the Ministry’s statement, there has been a 27% increase in demand for power in the country within the past five years, and delays in implementing new power plant projects, which can increase power generation by at least 2%, has caused huge losses to the CEB.

In addition to this, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has stated that steps will be taken for the CEB to pay the Rs. 84 billion it owes the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation through the income it generates.

In a statement issued previously, the Ministry also addressed concerns about the current situation in the Gulf region, saying that there will be no shortage in fuel, as the country received a shipment of 16,000 tonnes of fuel yesterday and today, and another shipment of 15,000 tonnes is expected on 24 and 25 January.

These shipments will be added to the current storage of 71,000 tonnes of fuel, which includes 47,947 tonnes of Petrol 92, 16,000 tonnes of Petrol 95, 111,957 tonnes of Lanka Auto Diesel, and 4,463 tonnes of Super Diesel.