CEB requests 13.56% electricity tariff hike for 2Q

Monday, 16 February 2026 03:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted a proposal to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) regarding an electricity tariff revision for the second quarter of this year. According to the proposal, the CEB has requested an electricity tariff increase of 13.56% for the period effective from 1 April to 30 June, the PUCSL said.

In its proposal, the CEB states that the estimated total net generation for the April to June 2026 period is 4,578 GWh.

Accordingly, in 2Q 2026, approximately 1,218 GWh of energy is expected from hydro, while thermal and other renewable energy sources are anticipated to contribute 1,957 GWh and 1,402 GWh, respectively. The expected hydro inflow is estimated at 1,193 GWh, the CEB said.

The forecast of electricity sales for 2Q 2026 is estimated at 4,230.3 GWh. Of this, direct CEB sales are projected at 3,774.7 GWh, while sales to Lanka Electricity Company Ltd., (LECO), measured at the 33 kV boundary, is projected at 455.6 GWh.

The CEB stated that based on their analysis, a deficit of Rs. 15,847 million has been estimated for the period from April to June 2026, requiring a tariff increase of 13.56%.

Accordingly, to ensure financial and operational stability and to mitigate potential risks to the reliability of electricity supply, the CEB proposes a revision to the current tariff structure. The Board-approved tariff proposal for 2Q 2026 has been submitted to the Commission for its approval and subsequent implementation.

In January, the PUCSL decided not to implement an electricity tariff revision for 1Q 2026 due to the failure of the CEB to submit a formal tariff revision proposal within the due time.

The Commission had said it reached this decision after considering factors including the failure to submit a formal proposal before the specified time, defects in the original proposal, and the disadvantages of a high-percentage change in tariffs if a revision is implemented for the remaining short period of the quarter, even if the CEB submits a new proposal.

The PUCSL had also directed the CEB to submit the electricity tariff revision proposal for 2Q 2026 on or before 13 February.