CEB requests private sector bulk consumers to use generators

Meters to be installed and payments will be higher than what is paid to independent power suppliers

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has called on all its bulk supply consumers in Colombo to put into use their standby generators to avert a power crisis.

The CEB has offered to pay Rs 36 a unit for power generated between 5.30 a.m. and 10.30 p.m. The rate is higher than a unit bought from independent power suppliers currently.

The power generated will be bought by the CEB and resold at the applicable rates to the consumers. The CEB will install meters to determine the units generated.

Through this process, the CEB is expected to save around 100Mw of power.

The move comes in the wake of a short supply of power due to fuel shortages for power generation and the drop in hydro-power generation.

In a related development, electricity consumers will be requested to reduce the use of electrical appliances including cooking equipment

during peak hours while local authorities will be asked to switch off streetlights, bill boards and park lights after midnight in a fresh bid to save power.

Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka ( PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake told the Sunday Times the request would go out to prevent power cuts in the coming weeks.

Mr Ratnayake said that due to the gas shortages consumers had turned to electrical appliances for cooking resulting in the additional use of 450Mw a day and therefore consumers would be requested to avoid peak times and do the cooking before 6 in the morning and again before 6 in the evening.

“The measure will help to reduce power consumption during the peak hours and thereby avoiding a power cut," he said. Local council authorities and Provincial Governors would also be told to take measures to reduce power consumption.

The Colombo Municipal Council has been requested to switch off lights in public parks at midnight. It has also been told to switch off non-essential lights, including street lights, at times they were not required.

The private sector has been requested to stop using electricity for bill boards and other sign boards with immediate effect.

The PUCSL will also call on the public and private sectors to reduce the use of Air Conditioners or set them at higher temperature levels to reduce power consumption.

The PUCSL and the CEB plan to save at least 300Mw a day.