The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to add 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity in the southern region on a short-term basis. The approval is valid for a period of six months, starting from August 18, 2023.
The PUCSL has imposed certain conditions for this approval. The additional supply should operate based on a merit order system, and the transmission license must demonstrate that the power plants are subject to independent dispatch audits at the end of the Power Purchase Agreement period. Furthermore, the procurement of the supplementary power should be done in the most cost-effective manner.
This decision was made in response to the Cabinet of Ministers' declaration of an emergency regarding the release of water from the Samanalawewa Power Plant for downstream irrigation purposes and the need to procure 100MW of supplementary power by August 15, 2023, for a period of 4 to 6 months to avoid planned power cuts.
Considering the forecasted lack of significant rainfall until mid-October 2023, the decision was influenced by the information provided by the Meteorology Department. Additionally, the newly energized Polpitiya 220kV line enables the Mahaweli Complex to connect the 220kV network to the southern part of the grid.
The addition of supplementary power will help reduce reliance on hydroelectric power throughout the year and contribute to building sufficient hydro storage as initial storage in 2024, as stated in the announcement.
