Sri Lanka to add 500 MW to grid in 2018

• 6 years ago (2017-05-17)
• David Flin

Asia 846 Transmission 181

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Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board plans to add 500 MW of capacity in 2018, consisting of 15 MW of mini hydro power, 160 MW of solar power, 5 MW of biomass, and 320 MW of oil-based power.

Sri Lanka’s generation demand is expected to grow by 5.9 per cent per annum from 2018-2022, while the peak demand is expected to grow at 5.1 per cent per annum. Over the period 2018-2037, demand is predicted to grow by 4.9 per cent per annum, with peak demand growing by 4.5 per cent per annum. According to these figures, Sri Lanka will need 4269 MW of grid capacity at the start of 2018, and 10,783 MW by the end of 2037.

Sri Lanka’s power regulator, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), recently opened for public comment the Least Cost Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LCLTGEP) 2018-2037.

Damitha Kumarasinghe, Director General of PUCSL, said: “The LCLTGEP is one of the most important plans in a nation as it plans the electricity generation for the country for the next 20 years to ensure energy security at the least cost plant mix for each year by analysing and evaluating various technology options. It serves as a guideline to facilitate the decision makers in making decisions in line with national policy objectives, by exploring and evaluating various technology options in different situations.”

The total investment required to implement the 2018-2037 plan is approximately $14.5 billion, without considering projects for which funds have already been committed.