Despite recent rains replenishing several hydropower reservoirs across the country, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) continues to secure emergency power sources, claiming that the rainfall is insufficient to meet the rising demand for electricity, The Sunday Morning learns.
In response to the pressing energy needs, the CEB has not only acquired emergency power, but is also gearing up to purchase supplementary power to mitigate anticipated future shortages, CEB Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon told The Sunday Morning.
Illangakoon revealed that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the procurement of supplementary power had closed on Thursday (7) and that the evaluation process was currently underway.
To address the immediate electricity supply gap, the CEB has already procured 120 MW of emergency power from Ace Power Embilipitiya (100 MW) and Matara (20 MW).
Cabinet approval was obtained to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the Southern Province, as the Samanalawewa reservoir faced depletion due to its reliance on the now-dried-up Udawalawe reservoir.
Despite recent rainfall in the Udawalawe reservoir’s catchment areas, it failed to compensate for the hydropower generation shortfall caused by persistent dry weather conditions, the CEB said.
Illangakoon said that Cabinet approval had also been granted for the purchase of electricity from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and that the CEB was taking the necessary steps to facilitate this.
Explaining the current energy situation, Illangakoon stated that the CEB had opted for ‘Scenario P’ for this year, projecting a 100 MW shortage to address expected power shortfalls in the southern region.
This represents a revision from the previously stated 120 MW shortage, with the updated calculation taking into account the necessity to fill transmission gaps specifically in the southern region.
A letter dated 25 October 2022, from Illangakoon to CEB General Manager Eng. Dr. D.C.R. Abeysekara, highlighted the predicted total capacity shortage of approximately 100-120 MW for the first six months of 2023, prompting action to address this capacity shortfall.