Cabinet approves emergency power purchase of 300MW

By Ifham Nizam

Despite stiff opposition from a section of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the Cabinet has endorsed the emergency purchase of 300MW from the Independent Power Producers (IPP), if necessary, to prevent load shedding and countrywide blackouts.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has asked the Cabinet not to go for long-term purchases from IPPs.

Power Minister Gamini Lokuge earlier instructed CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando to discuss with the IPPs.

CEB Chairman said consumers should not be penalised for CEB mistakes and waste.

Electricity sector regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has said that if Cabinet approves CEB request for emergency power purchases it will go along with the decision.

Lokuge prior to his recent overseas visit told The Island that plans were underway to purchase the minimum required power from IPPs only for a period of six months.

Engineers also said that energy consumption had also increased by 200MW during the last fortnight.

“Due to prevailing weather conditions water levels at the reservoirs are receding, and therefore we cannot draw more water as water needs to be released for drinking and agricultural purposes,” Lokuge said.

PUSCL has already approved purchasing 120 MW from IPPs. Therefore, they have planned to discuss with IPPs and place newspaper advertisements requesting them to notify their prices.

The Cabinet has only approved power purchases for a specific period and not given approval for signing agreements to purchase emergency power for years.

Some IPPs’ were earlier pressuring the CEB to sign a three-year agreement to purchase power.

However, following President’s intervention they have taken a different stance.