Sri Lanka CEB sees USD13 bn investment in power plants over next 20 years

Sep 11, 2015 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board says the total estimated cost to implement the 2015-2034 long-term electricity generation plan is approximately 13 billion US dollars. The generation plan says: "The total investment required for implementing the Base Case Plan 2015-2034 in the next 20 years is approximately USD 12.96 Billion without considering the projects for which funds have already been committed." The CEB has submitted this document, which gives a comprehensive view of the existing generating system, future electricity demand and future power generation options, to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for approval. The PUCSL has sought comments from interested parties and the document is available on the PUCSL website (www.pucsl.gov.lk). According to it, average annual growth rate of energy demand for next five years would be 6.24 percent, while average annual growth rate of peak demand for next five years would be 5.32 percent. “Therefore the objective of the Plan is to cater to this forecasted demand growth by identifying the least cost plant addition sequence which is based on the most sustainable technology to provide the most cost effective service and to avoid electricity shortfalls in the country,” it said. “In line with the estimated demand growth, installed capacity in the national grid would be around 4,800MW by the end of 2020.” Immediate actions to take includes, commissioning of 120MW Uma Oya and 35 MW Broadlands by year 2018, commissioning of 100MW Wind farm by years 2018 & 2021 and three 35MW Gas Turbines by year 2019. The report said 500MW from the Coal Power Plant, in two stages, must be available by year 2020. Also 600MW from the New Trincomalee Coal Power Plants, in two stages, must be available by year 2022. The plan includes a time line for the plant additions which will consist of major hydro, coal, pumped storage hydro, combined cycle, oil and gas turbine plants.