The recently-gazetted Electricity Sector Reforms Bill prepared by a special consultant team appointed by the Ministry of Power and Energy under the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Restructuring Committee has been submitted to the Attorney General’s (AG) Department, The Sunday Morning learns.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS) Head Dr. Pradeep Perera confirmed that the bill was currently under review by the AG’s Department.
When asked about potential amendments made in response to concerns raised by various parties, Dr. Perera stated that no amendments had been incorporated.
Upon being asked about meeting initial timelines, he indicated that no such timelines had been set either.
When asked about the CEB reform timelines from the previous committee’s initial plan, Dr. Perera said the query should be redirected to that committee and declined to provide additional details.
The recently-gazetted bill has sparked discussions surrounding the establishment of the National Electricity Advisory Council (NEAC), designed to advise the Power and Energy Minister on electricity industry matters.
Set to be presented to Parliament for the repeal of existing electricity acts, the bill aims to bring significant reforms to the sector.
Once passed, it will empower the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to act as the regulator, overseeing activities related to the generation, transmission, distribution, trade, supply, and procurement of electricity.
The bill also introduces legislative measures for the incorporation of corporate entities, emphasising on clarity and coherence in the industry’s operations. However, concerns have been raised about the NEAC’s independence, prompting scrutiny of its autonomy in influencing crucial decisions within the electricity sector.
In January, dissident Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Prof. Charitha Herath called on Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera to thoroughly review the proposed power sector reforms.
In a letter addressed to the Minister, Herath highlighted significant concerns and urged attention to vital issues before implementing far-reaching reforms.
The proposed reforms, aimed at enhancing efficiency and promoting clean energy use, involve the unbundling of services provided by the CEB and subsequent restructuring.
Herath’s concerns include potential ministerial authority imbalance, disparities in objectives, transparency in the selection mechanism, rigid timelines, challenges with automatic activation, lack of harmony with existing acts, and issues related to regulator independence, funding, and consumer protection.
Herath emphasised on the need for comprehensive studies and transparent assessments to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the envisioned reforms.