Sri Lanka Hydro Power Generation Picks up Sharply in 2013

02nd April 2013, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Hydro power generation has picked up sharply in Sri Lanka allowing state-run Ceylon Electricity Board to cut thermal power, while demand was barely growing in January 2013, official data shows.

Total power generation in the month rose just 0.6 percent to 987 GigaWatt hours (millions of units of electricity) from a year earlier.

In December total generation fell in absolute terms by one percent to 988GWh amid a slowing economy and higher tariffs which promote conservation.

In 2012 total generation grew just 2.4 percent to 11,807GWh as the economy slowed, with some power cuts also reducing generation, as a large coal plant broke down repeatedly.

This year the CEB is expecting to sell 10,950GWh of energy. Sales could be lower than generation due to system losses.

Data released by the Central Bank shows CEB's hydro power generation grew 270 percent to 593GWh in January 2013 from a year earlier, while purchases from private power producers plunged 60 percent to 214GWh.

CEB's own thermal generation - which includes coal power - was also down 21 percent to 234GWh.

CEB has sought a price hike from April. The regulator removed three thermal plants whose power purchase agreements had expired but which were listed in the generation schedule for 2013 shaving off 15 billion rupees in costs filed by the power firm.

From late 2011, low rainfall triggered a steep increase in thermal generation, creating large losses in both the CEB and state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation which sold subsidized fuel to the power firm.

The losses which were filled by bank loans, was ultimately accommodated by Central Bank credit (printed money), making the Sri Lanka rupee fall from 110 to 134 to the US dollar.

Market pricing energy helps reduce bank credit demand and avoid money printing which in turn helps keep inflation low and the exchange rate stable.

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Sri Lanka’s Longest Tunnel Releases Water for Upper Kotmale Hydro Electricity Project

18th January 2012, www.dailynews.lk

The ceremonial release of water into the tunnel of the Upper Kotmale hydro electricity project took place at the auspicious time of 11.20 am yesterday under the patronage of Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Water for the Upper Kotmale project is supplied from the Kotmale Oya through a 13 km long tunnel with a 5.9 metre diameter from Talawakelle to Niyamgamdora by opening its main gate upto 10 centimetres and three cubic metres of water is carried per second through the tunnel.

A press release by the Power and Energy Ministry said engineers have planned to commence electricity generation on an experimental basis at Upper Kotmale by the end of this month.

The planned capacity of Upper Kotmale project is 150 megawatts and it will be connected to the national grid at a ceremony presided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 27. With the connection of the Upper Kotmale project to the national grid the country’s total hydro electricity generation capacity which was 1,207.45 megawatts earlier will be increased to 1,357.45 megawatts. Yesterday’s ceremony was also attended by Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, CEB Chairman Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickrama, General Manager Nihal Wickramasuriya, Additional GM and Upper Kotmale Project Director Shavindranath Fernando.


Related Info :

• Upper Kotmale to Complete by Year End. 150MW Electricity to National Grid from the Last Mega Hydro Power Project in Sri Lanka

• Hydro Power Electricity Helps Sri Lanka Reduce Thermal Power Generation Reducing Carbon Emissions by 1.15mn Tons

Hydro Power Electricity Helps Sri Lanka Reduce Thermal Power Generation Reducing Carbon Emissions by 1.15mn Tons

08th May 2011, www.news360.lk

Sri Lanka has produced more hydro power based electricity during last year, surpassing the initial target thus helping the sector to reduce its annual carbon emissions by around 1.15 million tons.

The Ministry of Power and Energy says, during the year 2010 the Ceylon Electricity Board, the countries main power utility has produced 5,720 GW of electricity via Hydro power plants compared to an earlier estimated figure of just 4,063 GW.

Earlier, the authorities were planning to produce 6,680 GW of electricity via thermal based power plants, but later the required figure has come down thus resulting in the generation of only 4995 GW of electricity.

Reduction in Thermal power generation has helped to reduce the level of carbon emitted from the sector.

Ministry officials say, if this amount is sold in the international market for carbon credit, the country will be able to earn a sum of R. 2,600 million.

In recent years, Sri Lanka’s dependence on thermal power has been increasing owing to the growing demand for electricity and the limited capacity of the hydro power plants to generate electricity to meet the demand.

However, good rain during last year helped to produce more hydro power.

Sri Lanka is currently constructing its last mega Hydro Power project in Upper Kotmale while a coal power plant, which is the country’s first such plant came into operation recently.

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• Upper Kotmale to Complete by Year End. 150MW Electricity to National Grid from the Last Mega Hydro Power Project in Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Power Demand Hits New Peak Load of 2,000 MegaWatts amid Hot Weather & Growing Usage

Upper Kotmale to Complete by Year End. 150MW Electricity to National Grid from the Last Mega Hydro Power Project in Sri Lanka

27th January 2011, , www.news360.lk

79% of the construction work of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project has been completed, says the Ministry of Power and Energy.

Accordingly the 1st phase of the project which will add 150 Mega Watts of electricity to the national grid will be fully completed by end this year.

Upper Kotmale which is the last such mega hydro power project to take place in Sri Lanka is located in the Nuwara Eliya district and will be using the water flowing from the Kotmale Oya, a branch of the Mahaweli River.

The US$ 450 JICA funded Upper Kotmale Hydro power project was in the drawing board since 1985 and was expected to be fully operational in the early parts of 2000.

However pressure from area politicians citing socio-economic and environmental issues delayed the project.

Sri Lanka’s electricity demand is growing at 8% per Annum.

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• Sri Lanka's Last Mega Hydro Power Project at Upper Kotmale to Compelete by 2011