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Emergency power purchasing: CEB predicts continued power crisis in 2023

06 Nov 2022

  • CEB Chair directs GM to arrange purchases
  • Some CEB engineers oppose plan
  • GM and Chair at odds over plan
  • No decision yet: CEB Spokesman
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is preparing to procure around 120 MW in emergency power to prevent possible supply shortages due to the expected capacity shortage next year, The Sunday Morning learns. It is also learnt that the 120 MW will be fulfilled by one of the firm energy resources available. In a letter dated 25 October 2022, CEB Chairman N.S. Ilangakoon has informed CEB General Manager Eng. Dr. D.C.R. Abeysekera that a total capacity shortage of approximately 100-120 MW has been predicted for the first six months of 2023, with a decision taken to enact speedy procurement for this capacity shortage. This had been discussed at a recently-held meeting at the Ministry of Power chaired by the Minister of Power and Energy, senior Ministry officials, and CEB officials.  “The Board, after discussion and considering the necessity of providing uninterrupted power to the citizens, granted approval in principle to initiate the procurement process to add the said generating capacity shortage to the system and directed the GM to take necessary actions for the same,” the letter stated.   Ilangakoon in his letter has also directed the GM to forward a detailed CEB memo to the next meeting, clearly mentioning the exact capacity shortage anticipated for 2023 and how this requirement can be fulfilled. According to the letter, which The Sunday Morning has seen, it is further stated that as the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) has already granted provisional approvals for 21 renewable energy projects, the CEB must take expeditious actions to implement the same, in line with the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act and as mentioned under the CEB decision No. 22.14.267 dated 20 September 2022. Therefore, the GM has been directed to take all necessary actions to this effect and report the progress in this regard in one month’s time. “It was also decided by the Board to treat this decision of the Board as confirmed as it authorised the Chairman to convey the same to the General Manager for immediate early actions,” it is stated. However, senior engineers attached to the CEB have vehemently opposed the decision taken by the Chairman to bridge the capacity shortage, claiming that it will be a waste of money at a time when the country is facing a severe economic crisis. “The CEB and the country do not have the luxury to maintain the ‘no power cuts at any cost’ policy anymore. At present, the CEB has the power to save money and dollars and not because of a lack of generating capacity,” a senior engineer who wished to remain anonymous told The Sunday Morning. “It is true that we need about 150 MW of emergency power during the first four months of next year if it is a normal year, but since we already shed power due to economic reasons and if the power cuts are to be continued to save money and foreign exchange, there is no need to buy 150 MW of new emergency power as that requirement can be managed within the ongoing power cut duration. “Even if we buy emergency power, we will not have diesel [estimated by him to cost over Rs. 20 billion] to run such plants. But whether we generate or not, simply to increase emergency power, we will have to pay about $ 3.5 million as hiring charges. In addition, we will require about Rs. 20 billion to buy diesel,” the engineer added. It is reliably learnt that the CEB GM had not been in agreement with the Chairman on bridging the capacity shortage and had submitted a memo to the Board at the meeting held on 1 November 2022 against buying emergency power. However, when The Sunday Morning contacted CEB Chairman Ilangakoon regarding the plan for emergency purchase of power, he said: “Emergency power should be purchased in a natural calamity situation, but so far the CEB has purchased emergency power for man-made calamities. The CEB engineers must have a proper plan and providing 24/7 electricity to the country is their responsibility. If there’s something that they cannot solve at their level, the Ministry should take a decision with the Cabinet. There is no use of having the CEB to impose power cuts.” However, when contacted, CEB Spokesman and Additional General Manager Andrew Navamani told The Sunday Morning that the Board was yet to take a decision on procuring power and that it was currently evaluating the requirements.  


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