- Exploiting hydropower has risked drinking water supply: CEB engineers
- CEB denies exploiting hydropower; says it managed available resources
- Accusers lack practical knowledge: CEB Chairman
The State-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is facing serious allegations of having exploited hydropower resources over the past several months, potentially endangering the availability of drinking water in major cities.
Concerns have been raised regarding the unregulated usage of hydropower – critical for electricity generation and water management – without considering the impending risk to essential water supplies.
The claim has been dismissed by the CEB, which states that these statements are being made by individuals lacking practical experience on the matter.
According to allegations put forth by a group of engineers associated with the CEB, the engineers responsible for operating the hydropower system were coerced into making decisions detrimental to the country’s hydropower storage.
The allegations suggest that the excessive utilisation of water for electricity generation may deplete reservoirs, placing major cities at risk of severe drinking water shortages. This imbalance raises significant concerns about the prioritisation of hydropower over the fundamental need for safe and ample drinking water for the population.
Authorities have come under pressure to launch a thorough and transparent investigation into these allegations to ascertain the veracity of the claims. The objective is to determine whether the CEB has indeed disproportionately exploited hydropower resources at the expense of drinking water reserves.
At the start of this month, official statistics revealed that the energy storage in the six primary hydropower reservoirs was alarmingly low, recording a capacity of approximately 278 GWh or 23%. This represents the lowest capacity recorded in the past five years, highlighting a concerning trend. At the beginning of the year, the energy storage stood at over 900 GWh.
Critical concerns
Speaking to The Sunday Morning on conditions of anonymity, a senior engineer of the CEB emphasised the critical role hydropower storage played in saving the country’s foreign exchange.
The engineer stressed the importance of managing this invaluable resource with the utmost care. However, concerns were raised regarding the immense pressure exerted on system control engineers by top management in recent months, compelling them to deplete hydro reservoirs to showcase smooth management and prevent power cuts.
According to the engineer, these decisions, driven by short-term objectives, have yielded unhealthy results, leaving certain areas still grappling with the consequences. The engineer emphasised the necessity of maintaining minimum water levels in reservoirs to prepare for emergencies effectively.
While some catchment areas have received limited rainfall, it remains uncertain when adequate rain will arrive. The engineer pointed out the unpredictability of rain patterns, highlighting the importance of taking precautions. Although water levels in some reservoirs have slightly increased due to recent rains, the engineer warned against premature validation of decisions, emphasising the risk of a sudden disappearance of rain.
Furthermore, they highlighted the potential drastic decrease in reservoir storage if one plant at Lakvijaya were to go out of operation, emphasising the substantial risk faced at the beginning of these months.
Hydropower role
In the latest data disclosed by the CEB on Wednesday (20), hydropower emerged as a significant contributor, making up 22.9% of the total energy generated for the national grid. The report provided a breakdown of contributions from key hydropower complexes, showcasing their respective roles in the energy landscape.
The Samanala Hydro Complex contributed 4.5% to the overall energy generation, followed by the Laxapana Hydro Complex, which played a substantial role with a 10.7% contribution. The Mahaweli Hydro Complexes, combining their efforts, contributed 7.7% to the total energy generation. Mini-hydro sources also made a notable impact, accounting for 8.7% of the energy generated.
These figures underscore the critical importance of hydropower in the country’s energy mix and demonstrate the diversified sources that collectively sustain the nation’s energy needs.
Hydropower is Sri Lanka’s primary renewable energy source, predominantly owned by the CEB. In 2020, it constituted 7.8% of the total primary energy supply, solidifying its position as a crucial indigenous component of the country’s energy framework. The estimated hydro resource potential is approximately 2,000 MW, with a significant portion already harnessed. Currently, the existing CEB generating system heavily relies on hydropower, with 1,383 MW out of the total 3,040 MW CEB installed capacity coming from hydropower sources.
As per the CEB’s Generation Expansion Plan for 2023-2042, around 45% of the total existing CEB system capacity is distributed across 17 hydropower stations, playing a pivotal role in meeting energy demand. Notably, major hydropower schemes are concentrated in the Kelani and Mahaweli River basins. The Laxapana Complex houses five hydropower stations, contributing 353.8 MW, primarily designed to meet the country’s power requirements without substantial interference for irrigation or other water needs.
Moreover, the Mahaweli project has significantly bolstered hydropower capacity, adding seven hydropower stations with a combined installed capacity of 816 MW to the national grid. Reservoirs like Kotmale, Victoria, and Randenigala, constructed as part of the accelerated Mahaweli Development Programme, are critical in feeding their respective power stations. The 35 MW Broadlands Hydropower Plant in the Laxapana Complex and the 122 MW Uma Oya Hydropower Plant are notable projects contributing to Sri Lanka’s hydropower capacity.
Looking ahead, the Moragolla Hydropower Project, expected to be operational in the latter part of 2023, will further augment the country’s hydropower capacity, showcasing the ongoing efforts to harness this indigenous and vital source of renewable energy.
Theory vs. practicality
Against this backdrop, a senior engineer from the CEB’s Generation Division revealed to The Sunday Morning that the board had initially reached a capacity of approximately 278 GWh earlier in the month. Following recent rains, this capacity has surged to around 400 GWh and the board is optimistic about achieving a capacity of nearly 800 GWh at the start of the upcoming year.
The engineer emphasised that while there were specific rules and regulations governing operations, practical implementation may slightly deviate from theoretical guidelines.
In response to the allegations, CEB Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon emphasised that the accusations were made by individuals lacking practical knowledge about the matter. He affirmed that the CEB had not exploited hydropower resources but had instead managed them in alignment with the available resources and prevailing regulations.