News
CEB gets permission to purchase 100MW from private power producers
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).
The Indonesian Naval Ship, ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, arrived at the port of Colombo today (22 Jan 26) on a scheduled port call for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission.
In keeping with time-honored naval tradition the ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome upon arrival.
The 90.71m – long Sigma Corvette FS is commanded by Commander Annugerah Anurullah.
During the stay in Colombo, the crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits.
Further, this visit provides an avenue to enhance professional interaction and courtesy engagements among two navies.
The Royal Navy of Oman Ship ‘AL SEEB’ arrived at the Port of Colombo on a logistics replenishment visit today (22 Jan 26).
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
The 75m – long ship is commanded by Lieutenant Commander Hamad Bin Mohammed Aldarmaki. The port call will facilitate professional interaction and goodwill exchanges between the two navies.
During her stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city of Colombo.
News
Mechanism to be established involving university academics and experts for Education Reforms – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the Government is taking steps to establish a comprehensive mechanism, supported by an appropriate legal framework, to bring together university academics, experts and all relevant parties in order to resolve issues arising during the implementation of education reforms.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) held on Wednesday (21) morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the discussion, FUTA members emphasized the challenges encountered while trying to implement educational reforms through a framework established by the National Institute of Education, in line with the current laws and regulations.
They further emphasized that while their association acknowledges the need for new education reforms, the urgency of such reforms is greater for students in rural schools than for those in urban schools.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations further stated that they appreciate the decision taken by the Government, under the leadership of the President, to address the issues arising from education reforms and affirmed their readiness to contribute to this process.
As a continuation of the previous discussion, proposals addressing the challenges faced by academics within the university system, along with possible solutions, were presented to the President. In response, the President emphasized that the Government would take all possible measures to safeguard the university system and strengthen education.
The discussion also covered proposed amendments to the Universities Act.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake noted that, in the aftermath of the recent disaster, the Government has been effectively implementing a nationwide rebuilding programme, addressing economic stability, development and all critical sectors. The President also called upon university academics to actively support these reconstruction efforts.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, as well as representatives of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations, including its President, Prof. P. R. Weerathunga, Vice President M. A. M. Sameem and Secretary Charudaththe Ilangasinghe.
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