The reservoirs used for electricity generation are completely full due to the recent heavy rains and the hydroelectric power plants, therefore, can operate at maximum capacity, claimed Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake.
In the backdrop, there will be no need of resorting to further power cuts, the PUCSL Chief claimed, revealing that despite the one hour power cut currently in operation, there had not been any requirement to do so since September 03.
Ratnayake expressed confidence that the coal stocks used for thermal power plans will be sufficient to meet the electricity demand for the rest of the year.
However, Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara made a contradictory statement in Parliament today (08) claiming that the coal stocks owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) suffice only till September 15. Resorting to a daily power cut of 08 hours from October 15 would be inevitable, had it been not possible to procure the necessary coal stocks for the coming period of the year, Wijesekara said contradicting the PUCSL Chief’s comments.
The country could be driven into a massive power crisis, in any event are the coal power plants not able operate further, mainly because these power plants meet a large percentage of the country’s total power demand.
MIAP
