Sri Lanka prepares for possible power shortage by 2018
Sri Lanka is preparing for a possible power shortage by 2018 while approval has been granted by the electricity sector regulator to the Ceylon Electricity Board’s 2015 -2034 Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP), a senior official said. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has insisted that the power plants listed in the LCLTGEP for the period of 2017-2020 should be built, to prevent the possible power shortage in year 2018 and beyond due to non-operation of hydro power plants during drought conditions.
PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe told a media conference in Colombo on Monday that under drought conditions, even with planned plant additions, there would be energy and capacity shortages in years 2018/2019 and beyond.
According to the CEB’S plan around 1,275 MW of power would be added to the national grid in the next four years. The proposed power plants include two thermal power plants with the capacity of 170 MW in the Southern region, 105 MW gas turbines, and 300 MW natural gas power plant and several renewable energy power plants with the capacity of 700 MW including three major hydro power plants, he disclosed.
The failure to implant those power plants on time will result in power shortages. The commission stressed the need of a National Demand Side Management (DSM) Programme, development of planned conventional power plants on time and expediting grid integration of planned renewable energy based plants. The Government is to introduce a new energy policy and a complete study iss underway with JICA assistance for this purpose, Mr. Kumarasinghe disclosed. A special committee appointed under the leadership of economist Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne is studying the possibilities of using LNG power plants in Sri Lanka.
Once these studies are completed the Government will come out with its long-term generation plan for Sri Lanka for the period 2018 – 2037, he revealed. However energy experts have suggested building a 500MW coal power plant or a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant on the west coast. An LNG CCGT plant could be built in Kerawalapitiya. CEB had already identified Colombo North Port as a suitable site for a LNG terminal and Kerawalapitiya for building a gas-fired CCGT, they pointed out. Sri Lanka would be able to supply electricity to consumers at low price as the coal power generation cost is around Rs. 8.11 per unit, they said.
Citing an example, an energy expert said Sri Lanka now generates 50 per cent of its electricity from Norochcholai coal power plant bringing electricity costs down to Rs. 15 from Rs. 23 per unit. Even though the 2015-2034 LCLTGEP was sanctioned, the PUCSL emphasised that the CEB should submit the extension plan for the period of 2018-2037 for the approval of the commission, by April 2017 giving priority to the government’s policy framework and the least cost principle.