CEB plans to purchase power from IPP for a six month period

Minister of Power, Gamini Lokuge told the Times online that the cabinet has approved to purchase 300 Megawatts from independent power producers (IPP) if required.

He said that they have planned to purchase the required power from IPPs only for a period of six months. He elaborated that even though all three phases of the Norochcholai power plant are active there is still a shortage of 300 megawatts.

“Due to prevailing weather conditions water levels at the reservoirs are depleting, therefore we cannot draw more water as water needs to be preserved for drinking and agricultural purposes.” He said.

He said that due to that reason they need to purchase power from independent power producers to provide electricity without interruption.

A senior official at the CEB explained that the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUSCL) had already approved purchasing 120 Megawatts from IPPs. Therefore they have planned to discuss with IPP companies and place paper advertisements requesting them to notify their prices. 

However, the cabinet had only approved power purchases for a required period and have not given the approval to sign agreements to purchase power for years.  According to the official, some IPP’s urge CEB to sign a three-year agreement to purchase power.