- Consumers Asso. alleges CEB regional engineers instructing small hydropower plants/large solar power plants to close on weekends
The Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA) has urged the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to investigate allegations that regional engineers of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have instructed owners of small hydroelectric power plants and large-scale solar power projects in certain areas to shut down their operations on the weekend.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said that they had received information about CEB engineers in certain areas allegedly instructing the owners and managements of hydroelectric power plants and solar power projects to shut down operations over the weekend.
“Among these are hydropower plants for which the CEB incurs a minimal cost, such as Rs. 9 per unit. Even ground-mounted solar projects were ordered to be shut down. In total, more than 50 power plants and solar projects have ceased operations in this manner,” he said.
Describing the alleged incidents as subversive and conspiratorial, he said that they had formally requested the PUCSL Chairperson and Members to take immediate steps to investigate the matter.
"This could be an attempt to undermine the decisions made during the last electricity tariff revision and pave the way for tariff hikes and emergency power purchases. The PUCSL must investigate why the CEB does not encourage power plants that generate electricity at minimal cost, and bring those responsible before the law,” he noted.
CEB Chairperson Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya was not available for comment.
Meanwhile, the ECA recently stated that despite being accused of corruption in the energy sector, former governments had initiated positive programmes to promote renewable energy, but that the current Government had failed to do so. He also warned that the Government’s recent decision to ‘review’ renewable energy projects could result in the country losing the progress made in this sector so far.