News
CEB thermal power plants being shut for want of fuel
Sapugaskanda refinery to be closed again
By Ifham Nizam
Four turbines of the Sapugaskanda 72 MW power station A ceased to function due to a shortage of fuel yesterday. However, temporary measures were taken to run the power station B instead.
A senior management official of the Power Ministry said that Barge Mounted Power Plant at the Colombo Port too had failed to function due to a fuel shortage.
Plans are underway to go for emergency power purchases during the next six months, senior management of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.
The Island learns that Power Minister Gamini Lokuge and Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera had lengthy discussions on the issue, but CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando was not present.
CEB General Manager M.R. Ranatunga, contacted for comment, told The Island that coal stocks would be sufficient till September.
Fuel stocks are available only up till 10 January.
Ranatungha said the good news was that the demand had not increased unlike in the previous year, and the furnace fuel stock was sufficient until 24 January.
He said that if the CEB could not provide funds to make payments to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, it would face a serious issue where thermal power generation was concerned.
Over the past few weeks, the CEB had also battled with several breakdowns.
A senior official stressed that it would take around 45 days for oil tankers to arrive here. “Emergency power suppliers can generate electricity for a day or two with the available feul stocks, but beyond that the situation will become precarious” he added.
The CPC has increased the fuel prices –Heavy fuel from Rs. 70 to Rs. 110 and Nepatha from Rs. 74 to Rs. 84.
Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery would be temporarily closed from 03 January, 2022, due to the shortage of foreign exchange to purchase crude oil.
Although the refinery is expected to resume its operations before 30 January, 2022, but 22222222222some claimed that it would take more time.
The Singapore-based energy and commodities company which was awarded the long-term contract to provide crude oil here is slated to commence supplying petroleum from 26 January, the Energy Ministry said.
During the procurement process, the relevant company should be informed 90 days in advance to purchase Murban Crude Oil used at Sapugaskanda refinery, the ministry explained.
It added that the shortage of foreign exchange had hampered the plan to buy alternative crude oil for emergency use.
Therefore, purchasing crude oil on credit had become difficult as Sri Lanka’s credit ratings were falling, a ministry official pointed out.
He, however, said there would not be a fuel shortage due to the refinery’s temporary closure, as it met only 14% of petrol and 29% of diesel requirements of the country.
The announcement came a month after Sri Lanka temporarily halted the operations at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery on 15 November in a bid to save foreign exchange.
However, the CPC has made it clear to the CEB that it cannot provide fuel on credit any further.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said that the CEB was expected to pay Rs. 91 Billion to the CPC within two years.
Latest News
188 complaints received in the 24 hours ending 4.30pm on 11th November
The Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake said that the EC received 188 complaints during the 24 hours that ended at 4.30pm on Monday 11th November. Of the 188, 187 were of incidents related to the violation of election laws while one was an incident of election related violence.
The EC has received a total of 2999 complaints from 26th September to 11th November 2024 and have investigated and resolved 2353.
Latest News
Navy detain Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters
The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehend 12 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted off Chundikulam, Jaffna today (12th November 2024).
The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen.
Including this apprehension, the Navy has held 66 Indian fishing boats and 497 Indian fishermen this year, and handed them over to authorities for legal action.
News
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces.
Weather forecast issued at 05.30 a.m. on 12 November 2024 by the Department of Meteorology
A low-pressure area is likely to form over the south west Bay of Bengal today (12). Under its influence, atmospheric conditions will be favorable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island from 13th November.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
Several spells of showers will occur in Northern Province. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere during the evening or night. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
-
Features3 days ago
When Sir John Kotelawala visited St. Joseph’s College
-
Sports7 days ago
How Sri Lanka stunned everyone in the Hong Kong Sixes
-
Features7 days ago
A call from university teachers for a commitment to free education
-
News3 days ago
SL will not be able to join BRICS right now but membership of its NDB bank okayed
-
Sports3 days ago
Pathum Nissanka; the ace up Sri Lanka’s sleeve
-
News7 days ago
Wijeweera’s son warns the danger of giving NPP 2/3rd majority
-
Editorial7 days ago
CPC skirts main issue
-
Opinion6 days ago
A new dawn for Sri Lanka