Looming threat of power cuts recedes

by P. Krishnaswamy

The looming threat of power cuts due to the persistent drought in the catchment areas of hydro power reservoirs has blows over and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has breathed a sight of relief after last week's torrential rains which had improved the water levels in the reservoirs, CEB chairman Prof. Wimaladharma Abeyawickrama told the Sunday Observer.

The Meteorological Department said that the rains, due to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, will continue and the inter-monsoonal rains too are expected soon, most probably by the first week of October and this would enable the CEB to cut down on the heavy cost of generating hydro power, he said.

Of the total national requirement only 10 - 15 percent is met by hydro-power and the remaining through thermal power. Providing electricity in this manner will continue until the water levels in the reservoirs improve further, he said.

A report on the fuel requirement to generate thermal power was submitted at the last Cabinet sub-committee meeting chaired by Senior Minister A.H.M.Fowzie and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) would continue to provide the fuel requirements, he said.

Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer recently that there would be no power cuts despite the water levels in the reservoirs being dangerously low and the uninterrupted power supply to the nation cost a staggering Rs.120 million per day.