News
Monsoon rains to play big role in electricity tariff revision in July
View(s):By Niranjala Ariyawansha
The next electricity tariff revision, which is done once every three months, is due to be carried out in July, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman, Professor Manjula Fernando.
He told the Sunday Times the tariff revision would depend on the intensity of the southwest monsoon rains expected by the end of this month.
Prof. Fernando said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was expected to submit its tariff plan to PUCSL by May 1. However, CEB sources said the utility had requested more time to factor in issues such as rains being experienced in different provinces from time to time.
Another issue that is delaying the submission of the CEB’s plan to the PUCSL is its presence at a Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) session in the coming days, the
sources said. They said the tariff revision proposal would be submitted to the PUCSL after meeting
the COPE committee.
The PUCSL chairman said the commission was hoping to revise tariffs in July.
“When we receive the CEB proposal, we will verify whether the proposal has been prepared based on the government’s policies and other requirements. After that, it will be open to public consultation for two weeks. Then, suggestions and
complaints received from the public will be considered further, before the tariff revision is determined,” Prof. Fernando said.
According to the Meteorology Department, the southwest monsoon is due to begin on May 25. The
monsoon, which affects the southwestern zone of the country, usually lasts from May until September. Monsoon rains enable the CEB to generate more low-cost hydropower electricity.
The CEB sources said the southwest monsoon rains, which amount to one-third of the annual rainfall, are considered a decisive factor in the electricity tariff revision.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!