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CEB gets permission to purchase 100MW from private power producers

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By Saman Indrajith

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on Thursday (17) granted approval for purchasing 100MW of electricity from the private sector on a short-term basis.The approval of PUCSL has been granted to the transmission licensee under section 43(4)(c)(ii) of Sri Lanka Electricity Act No.20 of 2009 (as amended).

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) asked permissino for purchasing 100MW for the southern province for six months.The PUCSL allowed the CEB to purchase emergency power from 18 August 2023, subject to the following conditions.

1. The adding generation capacity shall operate on merit order basis and transmission licensee shall demonstrate that the power plants operated on merit order through an independent dispatch audit at the end of Power Purchase Agreement period.

2. The Kotmale – New Polpitiya 220kV line shall be energized before 31 August 2024.

3. The procurement of above supplementary power shall be done on the least cost basis.

PUCSL has considered the following in arriving at the decision:

1. Cabinet of Ministers has authorized the release of water from Samanalawewa Power Plant for irrigation purposes and to procure 100MW of supplementary power by 15 August 2023, for a period of four to six months to avoid planned power shedding at the Cabinet meeting held on 07 August 2023.

2. According to information from the Meteorological Department, significant rainfall can be expected only from mid -October 2023.

3. The release of water for agricultural purposes from Samanalawewa has begun on 08 August 2023 and the storage level of the Samanalawewa Reservoir has been recorded as 2.6GWh (1.9%) as at 06.00hrs on 17th August 2023, which will be totally depleted on 23rd August 2023 losing a generation capacity of 120MW to the southern part of the grid.

4. Energizing of New Polpitiya – Hambantota 220kV transmission line has not totally resolved the capacity shortage in the southern part of the grid as Kotmale – New Polpitiya 220kV line which is designed to bring the generation of the Mahaweli Complex and connect the 220kV network to the southern part of the grid is still not available.

5. The generation of the Laxapana Complex can only be utilized to compensate for the unavailability of generation from Samanalawewa Power Plant. However, there is a requirement of continuous release of water from Laxapana complex in order to maintain minimum requirement for drinking water supply to Colombo until next inter monsoon. Therefore, Laxapana Complex cannot be utilized to fully compensate for the unavailability of Samanalawewa Power Plant.

6. The water storage as at 17th August 2023 is 27.9%.

7. Adding supplementary power could help to reduce the hydro dispatch during the course of the year and facilitate the building of sufficient hydro storage (at least 800GWh) as an initial storage on 1 January 2024.

8. The expected date of energizing the New Polpitiya – Hambantota transmission line shall be 20 August 2023

9. The Unit 2 of Lakvijaya Power Station has already recommenced operation after repairs and unit 3 of Lakvijaya plant is expected to be operational by 06 November 2023.

10. The Results of the load flow studies (including line loads and busbar voltages in the southern part of the grid during day peak and night peak).



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Green Energy Acceleration Plan 2025-2030 launched

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The launch of the five-year renewable energy development plan, ” Green Energy Acceleration Plan 2025-2030″, presented by the Ministry of Energy, was held on February 27 at the Cinnamon Life Hotel in Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The plan outlines key strategies for identifying and implementing renewable energy methods and digital innovations, ensuring their efficient and environmentally sustainable use. It also highlights the economic benefits of renewable energy and its potential to strengthen the country’s financial stability.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“It is a pleasure to address you on this significant occasion of launching the Action Plan on Renewable Energy Management. We are not just here to launch this project; we are here to transform our country into an energy powerhouse for the future. The Ceylon Electricity Board and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority have taken the lead in steering Sri Lanka towards sustainable energy solutions.

I am pleased that the Ministry of Energy has introduced a valuable five-year action plan, the Green Energy Acceleration Plan 2025-2030. This initiative will promote sustainable energy consumption, identify renewable energy sources, and provide a comprehensive understanding of energy conservation and storage methods.

The primary objective of this plan is to reduce electricity demand and lower the initial cost of electricity in Sri Lanka by identifying and promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

Our goal is to expand renewable energy production over the next five years and provide affordable electricity to all Sri Lankans.

We aim to reform our energy acts in three key areas. First, we will ensure the provision of affordable and reliable energy through renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower while minimizing carbon emissions. Second, we will focus on educating the public on the significance of renewable energy and digital technologies and their role in accessing modern and reliable energy. Third, we will introduce advanced energy conversion methods to modernize the energy sector, aligning Sri Lanka with global advancements in the field.

This is not just a plan; it is a roadmap for the next five years. It encompasses various aspects, including the identification and development of energy sources, public awareness initiatives, implementation timelines, allocated funding, and necessary legal frameworks.

To ensure the success of this project, it is essential to leverage both local and international partnerships. Let us work together to meet the energy needs of all Sri Lankans using renewable energy solutions.”

The event was attended by Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, Deputy Ministers Eranga Weeraratne and Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy Professor Udayanga Hemapala, and Chairman of the Electricity Board Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya.

[Prime Minister’s Media division]

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Matara MC orders arrest of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon

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[File pic]

The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the arrest of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, and seven others said to be responsible for the shooting incident that took place in front of the W15 Hotel in Weligama, Matara on December 31, 2023.

 

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The responsibility of revitalizing both the economy and the fractured social fabric falls on everyone – President

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake directed the District Secretaries to allocate Rs. 1,400 billion in recurrent expenditure for the implementation of productive projects at the grassroots level over the next eight months.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held with the District Secretaries, on Thursday (27) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The President also emphasized that by developing the rural economy, the country’s economic growth could be elevated by 3% to 4%. He stressed the need to enhance existing economic opportunities and identify new sources of growth during the expansion of the economy to rural areas.

The pension schemes proposed in the 2025 budget were also deliberated upon during this meeting.

Moreover, the President pointed out that there is a prevailing negative perception of the public sector and that inefficiency within government services has contributed to this situation. He underscored the necessity of creating satisfied and effective government officials, and emphasized the need to improve the efficiency of public services.

Currently, 30,000 vacancies have been identified within the public service, and the President stated that the government plans to recruit for these positions in categories, which would complete the mid-level staffing of the public service.

The President emphasized that development is not limited to constructing buildings and bridges but also involves uplifting the fractured social structure, a responsibility that primarily lies with the District Secretaries.

Additionally, the District Secretaries raised issues specific to their districts, which were brought to the President’s attention, and extensive discussions were held on possible solutions and proposals.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Dr. Chandana Abeyratne; Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Aloka Bandara, as well as the District Secretaries.

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