Fast receding water levels in hydro power reservoirs increase pressure on CEB

By Ifham Nizam

Water levels in some reservoirs have receded and their remaining capacity has fallen below 20 percent while the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is hoping for rains at least by May.

Power Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday expressed concern that hydro power generation would be further hampered due to the low water levels in the reservoirs.

Minister Wanniarachchi yesterday said the water levels in the reservoirs used to generate electricity were rapidly dropping due to the severe dry weather conditions affecting most parts of the country.

Releasing water from those Mahaweli reservoirs to generate hydro power should also be restricted as the country’s drinking water and agriculture needs should be given priority, the Minister said, urging the public to use electricity sparingly.

The water level at the Castlereagh Reservoir has dropped to 13.41 metres below the overflow level. With the remaining volume of water only 15.7 gigawatt hours can be generated, and this is 16.5% of the total capacity of Castlereagh Reservoir.

The Maussakele Reservoir water level has dropped to 12.84 metres from the overflow level. Accordingly, it can generate only 87.7 gigawatt hours of electricity which is 30.9% of its total capacity.

The water level at the Samanala Wewa Reservoir has dropped to 23.24 metres from the overflow level. The remaining volume of water is sufficient to generate 23.24 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 16.3% of its total capacity.

The water level in the Kotmale Reservoir has dropped to 24.10 metres from the overflow level and only 31.7 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 22.1% of its total capacity, could be generated with the remaining volume of water.

In the Victoria Reservoir water level has dropped to 24.72 metres from the overflow level and only 152.6 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 34.5 times the total capacity, could be generated.

The water level of the Randenigala Reservoir has dropped to 8.48 metres from the overflow level and only 60.5 gigawatt hours of electricity, which is 56.3 percent of its total capacity, could be generated.