Sri Lanka power regulator worried over delayed power plant construction

Nov 18, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's Public Utilities Commission has issued a directive to CEB expressing its grave concern over the delay in constructing the power plants according to the approved Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP). “The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka approved the LCLTGEP on 15th of September 2016 and it is the sole responsibility of the Transmission licensee to adhere to approved LCLTGEP," the Commission said in a strongly worded letter. "The Transmission licensee should take immediate steps to implement it, given the critical nature of the power supply during 2017-2020.” PUCSL approved the plan to ensure the future electricity demand is fulfilled and directed the transmission licensee to immediately construct and operate the power plant(s) for the period of 2017 – 2020, as per the approved plan to avoid the possible power issues during the period. PUCSL, however, says the latest communication from CEB to PUCSL shows that there is an enormous time gap with the implementation plan compared to approved LCLTGEP. Critical plants for the period of 2017-2020 have been delayed up to two years from the LCLTGEP which ultimately result in not meeting the country’s timely required electricity demand and may create issues to the continuation of supply of electricity throughout the country, the Commission further said.