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CEB Engineers Union clashes with Govt. over emergency power purchases; vs. coal plants
View(s):Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers have warned the government that power cuts would be inevitable by next month, if a decision to purchase emergency power supplies is not taken soon as the government was trying to push forward with coal power projects.
The Union, which represents a majority of CEB engineers, has conveyed its position to the Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, state minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and the CEB management.
This was seen as a move to bring pressure on the government to go in for emergency power purchases for one more year. The union pointed out that scheduled power cuts will have to be imposed from the beginning of March because of the reduction in hydro power generation due to reduced rains and instructions from the Mahaweli and Agriculture authorities to retain water for agricultural purposes.
The union’s president Anurudda Tilakaratne said that with the impending dissolution of Parliament by next month the power crisis will worsen as it would be difficult to call for bids without a government in place.
He said although bids have already been called for 200 Mw supplementary power supplies Govt. approval is yet to be granted. “If approval is granted at least within the next two weeks we will be able to manage the situation, if not we will have to go for power cuts,” he added.
A senior Power and Energy Ministry official said that the proposal for 200 Mw supplementary is under evaluation, but it would take a month to be implemented, if approved.
He said the purchases will be for one year and could be extended for 30 months.
He said there is another proposal pending cabinet approval to extend contracts of independent power producers to continue to supply 100 Mw. He said these plants were in Pallakele, Galle, Matugama, Horana, Polonnuarwa and Monaragala.
The official said if the cabinet did not approve the proposal they would have to call for international bids.
The moves come amidst plans to instal two more coal power plants–one in Norochcholai and another in Trincomalee or another location.