The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will be imposing daily power cuts countrywide shortly, due to limited rainfall in catchment areas and the refusal of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to supply fuel for thermal power generation to meet the increased demand for power, CEB sources said.
However Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has intervened into the matter and directed the CPC to supply fuel to normalise thermal power generation, power and energy ministry annaounced.
The two hour power cut will be imposed as the hydro power generation has dropped owing to drought weather conditions highlighting the government’s failure to build new power plants, a CEB official said.
The drought has reduced the hydro-power generation drastically of the nation’s total electricity production as the CEB seeks to save water for household and irrigation requirements.
Sri Lanka has total electricity generating capacity of 40 GWH, as it mainly relies on thermal power, including a Chinese built Norochcholai coal power plant, which account for 45 percent of its supply.
The schedule for the expected power cuts was released today ..
A – 8.30-10.30
B – 10.45-12.45
C – 12.45-14.45
D – 14.45- 16.45
This action has been taken to protect national grid CEB official said adding that the country will face serious power crisis in the coming months due to the fialuer in implementing power generation plan to meet te incrasing demand.
(LI)