• Spl. public consultation to be held in July – includes directive to disconnect solar power systems during Avurudu 

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is to hold a special public consultation next month (July) to discuss several decisions made by the Ministry of Energy and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) concerning the renewable energy sector, including the controversial directive issued by the CEB to disconnect solar power systems during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, PUCSL Director – Communication Jayanat Herat said: "We have planned to hold a special public consultation in July. Recent issues pertaining to the renewable energy sector such as the directive issued by the CEB to temporarily shut down solar power systems in April, will be addressed there."

During the New Year holidays from 10 to 21 April, the CEB instructed the shutdown of all 'Net Plus' and 'Net Plus Plus' solar producers with a capacity of 100 kilowatts and above, citing the need to maintain grid stability during what was expected to be a period of low electricity demand. The instruction, issued through a letter dated 4 April by the Acting General Manager, engineer Wasantha Edussuriya, noted that the move was based on a Board decision made in March. 

According to the CEB, the temporary disconnection was necessary to manage system stability, as many commercial operations shut down or reduce activity during the holiday season. However, the move was met with strong criticism from several parties including the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA), which said that it would result in significant losses for both solar power producers and the State. The ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika claimed that the decision caused around Rs. 550 million in losses to solar power system owners and nearly Rs. one billion in additional costs to the Government due to the reliance on more expensive power sources.

There are also allegations that the current Government has made no real progress in developing renewable energy. “Even previous administrations, which were largely accused of corruption, at least introduced some positive programmes. The current Government hasn’t done anything meaningful. Instead, they’ve appointed a committee to review approved renewable energy projects, which might end up halting the sector’s progress," Dhammika said at the time. 

Meanwhile, reforms required in the electricity sector were discussed at the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development meeting held on 13 June under the Chairpersonship of attorney Ajith P. Perera. Key matters discussed included issues faced in integrating renewable energy sources such as solar power into the system, and proposals for reducing electricity generation costs, and the use of liquefied natural gas power plants to minimise generation costs. The Committee emphasised the need to adopt strategies that could reduce electricity generation costs and to proceed according to a long-term plan.