The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has warned that if the appropriate coal purchase order is not made by today, power interruptions of 8 to 10 hours may be imposed after October 28th.
Previously, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer’s Union warned that if coal is not received by October 25th, 2022, daily power disruptions could be prolonged to ten hours.
According to the PUCSL Chairman, 21 million US dollars are required weekly to secure adequate coal supply.
Janaka Ratnayake stated that there is now enough coal just until October 28th, after which three coal power facilities will be forced to close.
He stated that this will result in a loss of 820 MW of electricity and that subsequent power outages will last between 08 and 10 hours.
The Chairman of the PUCSL stated that plans have been made to send down 21 shipments of coal, but that the money for the importation have yet to be obtained.
Despite one generator being out of commission, the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant supplies 30% of the country’s electricity. When all three generators are operational, this plant meets more than 40% of the electrical demand.
A problem with the procurement process for supplying coal has also caused a delay in importing the requisite coal reserves.
According to media sources, the government has opted to award long-term supply to the company that made bids through the regular bidding process.
The company that was awarded the tender placed many requirements for the delivery of coal, which they have not been able to meet as agreed.
The deadline for the corporation to deposit the transaction’s performance bond expired yesterday, and they have yet to do so.
The company that supplies coal currently needs to supply 21 more shipments, however the supply of those stocks is now in jeopardy due to the payment delay.
