Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka says the shortcoming of implementation of Sri Lanka’s least cost long term generation expansion plans has resulted in cost overruns, load shedding, and unplanned power procurement in the past few years.
The regulator said these consequences are expected to be continued in the next few years if timely implementation of long term generation plan is not ensured.
A report by the PUCSL titled, “Electricity Supply 2020 and Beyond: Challenges and Recommendation” recommends short-term, medium-term and long-term solutions to ensure long-term energy security in a sustainable manner.
This report analyses the situation of country’s electricity supply, forecasted data, power plant schedule with the actual situation and how LCLTGEP’s prepared from the year 2006 to 2016 by the Ceylon Electricity Board.
The report describes how the shortcoming of implementation of LCLTGEP has affected the electricity supply of Sri Lanka and investment in the industry.
The report also discloses that due to planned plants are not built as per the timeline, unforeseen power procurement and change of power mix have resulted the increase in the average unit cost of electricity.
In 2016, actual power purchases from oil based plants have increased by 6 times higher than what was estimated for the year.