Power Crisis in Sri Lanka - An Overview

We live in a generation where power has become one of the key necessities in life. Today's  day to day life depends a lot on various power sources. If one day goes by without electricity, many businesses would be hurt, and domestics will experience highly uncomfortable situations. In Sri Lanka, We depend mostly on thermal and hydro power. Hydro Power is a source which depends on a highly volatile external factor, rain. Every time when there is a drought  people worry  about curtailing electricity. The country has gone through a number of power disruptions for several hours affecting people's day to day life.

Power Generation in Sri Lanka

In addition to the number of hydro power plants we have in Sri Lanka, there are five main thermal power plants owned by CEB. These five power stations have a capacity of 750MW, and out of them the Lakvijaya power station has a 285 MW of capacity.  If the power station properly functions, it could provide 20% from the annual demand of the country. There are nine power stations owned by the private sector with a capacity of 710 MW.

However, malfunctioning of these five power plants with the shortage of hydropower generation can create a serious power crisis. In the recent past, raining pattern of the country changed drastically. This was a massive hit on the hydro power generation.  The inevitable result was the electricity system failing to meet the demand. As a side effect, CEB was also compelled to increase the tariff, to limit the power consumption.

Your Social Responsibility

In the process of facing the power crisis, the general public also has a due responsibility in 

saving electricity. Especially during the peak hours, 6.00pm-10 pm, avoiding the use of appliances like washing machines, water pumps, irons and ovens and using them at less peak hours would help the grid immensely. As the refrigerator is the main consumer of electricity in a house, switching it off for few hours would be a great way to save electricity and money without affecting the food.  As Air conditioners consume a huge amount of electricity, their economical use is essential. Limiting the street lamps of municipal councils, and Pradesiya Sabhas from 7.00 p.m. – 5.00 a.m. and restricting the use of electricity to light up advertisements would also be a great help.

Alternative Power Generation Methods

In order to find a solution to this universal problem, many developed countries have shifted from conventional mechanisms to alternative power generation methods while countries like us, still primarily depend on these traditional means like hydro and thermal power. Sri Lanka already has three wind power plants and solar power panels in a small scale. The future world would burn with issues like floods and droughts and the shortage of oil, coal and gas.  If Sri Lanka is not well prepared for this situation, the future of the country would be bleak even if it has many power stations. Looking at the future, a country as wells as individuals we need to take all the possible steps to save the limited amount of power generated and also move towards renewable energy solutions. 

Source: http://solarenergysrilanka.blogspot.com/