http://www.ft.lk/columns/Power-crisis-misunderstood/4-641192

The above was precisely the heading of a newspaper article in November 2001. I repeat the first three sentences:

As it has always been, the present power crisis and the (upcoming) price increases will be blamed on the weather and the increase in international oil prices. The weather gods, unable to defend themselves, will silently take the blame. Dry weather is not the cause for the crisis. High(er) oil prices are not the reason for the (upcoming) price increases.

Now, 16 years later, the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy sought Cabinet approval to buy diesel engines to produce 100 Megawatt electricity, exactly as it was done in 1996, 1999 to 2001, and more recently in 2016. Additionally, 60 Megawatt of similar diesel power plants are already operational.

Yet more, a further 170 Megawatt of oil power plants retired have been recalled. Furthermore, all the oil power plants in the country are operating on full power for the past several months. So, 170+60+100 = 330 MW; we have only 170MW more to get to 500 Megawatt Sampur power plant, the President and the Prime Minister cancelled in 2015.

So, in a few months, another contract can be given for 170 Megawatt, and then the replacement of Sampur with diesel power plants would be complete. See how beautifully and skilfully the professional view is overtaken by business interests, and see how precisely the numbers add up. Continue reading “Power crisis misunderstood” →