The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka says there is no need to impose scheduled power cuts in the near future.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo Chairman of the Commission Janaka Rathnayake said there is no need to impose scheduled power cuts daily for the next three months due to the new mechanism formulated by the PUCSL.
He said in order to do so the Ceylon Electricity Board needs to receive the fuel it requires regularly and power generators in the country shouldn’t breakdown frequently like at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.
Rathnayake noted additionally hydropower generation in the country will be reduced by 50 percent from tomorrow.
He added from the 3rd of December till yesterday, twice the amount of hydropower was used to generate 12 million units of electricity.
Rathnayake stated from tomorrow it will be reduced to 5 million units, in order to preserve water for the next three months.
He added hydro power generation will be limited to 5 gigawatt hours daily, while 300 megawatt generators of the private sector will be added to the national grid.
He reiterated accordingly power cuts will not have to be imposed for the next three months.
The Chairman of the PUCSL stressed the support of the private and state sector is needed to avoid power cuts, amidst the prevailing electricity crisis.
He said several directives were issued to the CEB in this regard adding institutions that use a bulk supply of electricity must use their standby generators for four hours daily.
Rathnayake noted if residents of apartments wish to use the air conditioners between 6pm and 10pm, they must use the generator at the apartment.
He stated electricity consumption at state institutions must also be reduced while directives were issued to local authorities to reduce consumption by 80 percent.
He added accordingly the PUCSL hopes to reduce a capacity of 300 megawatts and use 300 megawatts from standby generators for the national grid.
