February/March : Energy Minister’s prediction on power cuts

Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila says he predicts definite power cuts in the county from early March or probably even early as mid February.

The minister made these comments during an interview with WION News.

When asked if the the current forex crisis the country is going through unable to source the required dollars to import fuel is causing the power crisis, the minister said that it’s not the main reason.

“Annual demand for power in the country grows by 8% per annum. Unfortunately, Since 2014 there were no additions of any renewable or thermal power plants in the country” he said.

“Therefore, existing power plants are not able to meet the power demand during the dry season from January to April as hydropower plants are unable to generate sufficient electricity due to low water levels in reservoirs.” He went on to say.

In past weeks, Sri Lanka has seen planned and unplanned intermittent power cuts for few hours a day as several thermal power plants stopped operation due to lack of fuel.

Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila had earlier refused to supply fuel to Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) from state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) citing lack of dollars and unpaid credits form CEB.