Power cuts on way

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Power and Energy Ministry yesterday warned the public that a power cut is imminent if the prevailing drought conditions continue till the middle of April.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Power and Energy Minister

W. D. J. Seneviratne said that 85 per cent of country's electricity requirement is being generated on thermal power and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has to bear the colossal sum of money spent to provide the consumers, an uninterrupted service.

"Although the country needs 1265 MVs to provide a better service, our power plants now generate only 400 MVs he said. Speaking further the Minister also gave an assurance that no power cuts will be imposed if the country experiences the normal rains during the middle of March.

With the completion of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, 150 MV will be added to the national grid by July 2011."We have now finalised the work on the Norochcholai coal power plant and expect to add over 300 MV to the grid by next year,".

When asked about the recent protest campaigns, launched by several CEB trade unions, Minister Seneviratne denied the privatisation of the CEB and said that the new Electricity Act which is to be taken up in Parliament on March 3 would not lead to privatization.

"The new Act will strengthen the CEB, since it will create a regulatory body, called the Public Utility Commission (PUC) which will have more powers since it will be above the CEB,"