Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is urging citizens to use electricity sparingly as demand for power has increased due to dry weather. The state-owned electricity producer and distributor revealed that electricity consumption has risen by three to four gigawatt hours in the past month, with hydropower production dropping to 21 percent and thermal power accounting for over 60 percent of electricity generation.
In an announcement on Sunday, CEB spokesman Noel Priyantha emphasized the need for energy conservation as the dry weather has led to a surge in electricity demand. He attributed the rise in consumption to the use of electric fans and air conditioning to combat the hot weather during dry periods.
The dry weather has also resulted in a decrease in hydropower production, with only 21 percent of electricity being generated from hydropower in recent days. The reliance on thermal power has increased to over 60 percent, contributing to higher electricity production costs.
Narendra De Silva, the general manager of CEB, highlighted the impact of using thermal power on the cost of electricity production, stating that it is one of the main reasons why the cost of electricity production in Sri Lanka is among the highest in Asia. The rising demand for electricity coupled with the reliance on costly thermal power has prompted CEB to appeal to the public for energy conservation.
Energy experts have echoed the need for efficient electricity usage during dry periods, emphasizing the impact of electricity consumption on both the environment and utility costs. As Sri Lanka grapples with the effects of the dry weather on electricity production, the Ceylon Electricity Board is urging citizens to use electricity sparingly to mitigate the strain on power resources and reduce the overall cost of electricity production.
