PUSL calls for plant timeline from CEB

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has requested the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to submit the implementation plan, including milestones for each of the power plants identified in the plant schedule for the period 2017-2020, of the recently approved, Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) 2015-2034.

The Commission said that the implementation plan should be submitted to the Commission on or before October 28.

The Commission approved the LCLTGEP 2015-2034 on September 15.

The Commission emphasized, the power plants listed in the LCLTGEP for the period 2017-2020, should be immediately constructed and operated, to prevent a possible power shortage in 2018 and beyond.

"The demand for electricity is on the rise and we have warned about a possible power shortage in 2018. On time implementation of CEB's approved generation expansion plan is the key for Sri Lanka to sail through this crisis," Director General of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Damitha Kumarasinghe said.

"There is no other way. The plants listed in the LCLTGEP for the period of 2017-2020, should be immediately constructed and operated, to prevent a possible power shortage in 2018 and beyond." These plants include two thermal power plants with a capacity of 170 MW in the Southern region, 105 MW gas turbines, 300 MW natural gas power plant and several renewable energy power plants with a capacity of 655 MW which include three major hydro power plants.

About 1,230 MW would be added to the national grid during the next four years.