The water level in the reservoirs, which had been full due to the heavy rains, has reportedly been dropped, leading to a decline in hydro-power generation.
There is a risk that hydro-power generation may have to be completely shut down due to the siltation of the reservoirs that receive water for power generation.
Meanwhile, Ranjan Jayalal, Secretary General of the Ceylon Electrical Workers’ Association, speaking to media today (04) warned that the supply of diesel for the Sapugaskanda Thermal Power Plant is facing a crisis due to the ongoing dollar deficit, leading to a shut down.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which is suffering from a financial depression, has suspended the supply of diesel for generation of power and has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to pay in dollar for diesel upon any requirement.
In the backdrop, the only solution for the CEB to meet the national demand of power would be the Norochcholai Thermal Power Plant. The generators at the plant, however, have also been out of order over time and there have been several incidents of such a nature in the last few months as well.
The purchase of coal for future power generation has also facing a crisis, reports added. The last time tenders were called for the purchase of coal, no supplier had come forward due to the ongoing dollar deficit, linking multiple crises suffered by the country with each other.
In the backdrop, the occurrence of a power outage could be inevitable in the future, the trade unions responding to the Power sector further warned.
MIAP
