Electricity in Sri Lanka
Electricity generation in Sri Lanka primarily uses hydro power and thermal heat, with sources such as photovoltaics and wind power in early stages of deployment. Although potential sites are currently being identified, other power sources such as geothermal, gas, nuclear, peat, solar thermal and wave power are not used in the current power generation process for the national grid.[1]
Contents |
Power generation [edit]
Electricity in Sri Lanka is currently being generated using three primary sources; thermal power (which includes energy from biomass, coal, and all other fuel-oil sources), hydro power (including small hydro), and other non-conventional renewable energy sources (solar power and wind power):
Hydro power sources consists of both larger government-owned projects, as well as private small-hydro facilities.
Thermal sources consists of diesel and all other fuel oil sources. 300MW of coal-power was added to the grid from the Norocholai Coal Power Station, the only coal power station in the country, in late-2011.
Other renewable power sources consists of wind power, solar power, and biofuels such as biomass.
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
||||||||||||
| Hydro power | 1,150 | 1,161 | 1,171 | 1,247 | 1,281 | 1,293 | 1,316 | 1,326 | 1,357 | 1,379 | 1,382 | 1,401 |
| Thermal | 685 | 835 | 1,056 | 1,233 | 1,215 | 1,155 | 1,155 | 1,155 | 1,285 | 1,290 | 1,390 | 1,690 |
| Other renewables | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 45 | 50 |
| Total availability | 1,838 | 1,999 | 2,230 | 2,483 | 2,499 | 2,411 | 2,434 | 2,444 | 2,645 | 2,684 | 2,818 | 3,141 |
|
|
||||||||||||
| Hydro power | 3,197 | 3,110 | 2,962 | 3,310 | 2,960 | 3,451 | 4,634 | 3,947 | 4,130 | 3,881 | 5,634 | 4,622 |
| Thermal | 3,485 | 3,407 | 3,201 | 4,298 | 5,080 | 5,314 | 4,751 | 5,864 | 5,763 | 5,975 | 4,995 | 6,785 |
| Other renewables | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 27 | 86 | 121 |
|
|
6,685 | 6,520 | 6,167 | 7,611 | 8,043 | 8,770 | 9,389 | 9,815 | 9,901 | 9,883 | 10,715 | 11,528 |
Hydroelectricity [edit]
Hydroelectricity is the oldest and most dependant source of electricity generation in Sri Lanka, taking a share of nearly 45% of the total available grid capacity in December 2010.[1] Hydroelectric power generation facilities has been constantly under development since the introduction of the national grid itself, but is currently declining due to the exhaustion of the resource. Currently, ten large hydroelectric power stations are in operation, all between 38 to 210 MW, with the Victoria Dam being the single largest hydroelectric source.
Although a large portion of the country's hydroelectric resource are depleted, the government continues to issue small hydro development permits to the private sector, for projects up to a total installed capacity of 10 MW per project.[4]
Thermal power [edit]
Thermal power stations are the largest source of power in Sri Lanka, taking a share of nearly 54% of the total available capacity in December 2010.[1] Thermal power stations in Sri Lanka runs either on diesel, gas or other fuel oils. The Norocholai Coal Power Station, the only coal-fired power station in the country, was commissioned in late-2011, adding a further 300 megawatts of electrical capacity to the grid. It is currently planned to add an additional 600 MW of capacity to Norocholai within the next half decade. The second and final coal power station,[5] the Sampur Coal Power Station, is currently under consideration in Trincomalee.[6]
Wind power [edit]
The use of wind energy was seen to be existing in the country even before 500 BC. The ancient Sinhalese used the monsoon winds to power furnaces as early as 300 BC, making Sri Lanka one of the first countries in the world to utilize wind power. Evidence of this has been found in Anuradhapura and in other cities.[7] The development of modern wind farms has been considered by numerous local and international developers for many years. But, such developments were largely hampered due to the many obstacles faced in such developments in terms of both, economics and infrastructure. The first commercial grid-connected wind farm is the 3 MW Hambantota Wind Farm, located northwest of Hambantota
Unlike other power sources, power developments from this source would face many challenges during its development timeline. Poor accessibility to potential sites is the first obstacle faced during the development of a wind farm. Most key transport routes around the country are too narrow or is constructed with tight turns to support transportation of turbines larger than 600 KW. Constructing wind farms with turbines smaller than the current commercial-scale megawatt-class turbines would prove to be uneconomical due to the high cost incurred during development.
The country is also in a long battle against its poor power grid. The grid, apart from being unstable in most provinces, is only capable of handling a small increases in load at any given location, typically limited to a few megawatts. Provinces with poor grids, such as the power grids in the Northern, North Central and North Western provinces needs complete upgrade to support further commercial-scale developments. This factor contributes to a large percentage in development costs for wind farms constructed such locations. The current government policy limit of 10 MW per wind project also significantly decreases economies-of-scale, further straining such developments.
Current status [edit]
Despite the many technical obstacles, a few developments totalling up to 50 MW have been proposed till September 2009.[8] In October 2009, a number of cases were files over political interference connected with the approving of wind projects, leading to a complete halt in the wind power industry in Sri Lanka.[9] The Ministry made allegations of wrongdoing in allocating energy licences, including the structuring of the wind power tariff.[10] There were also allegations that energy licenses are being sold, similar to how car licenses have been sold.[10]
From December 2009 to March 2010, permits for another 50 MW of projects were issued by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), before concerns relating to the issuing of permits were raised again,[11][12] leading to another deadlock in the industry. As of June 2010, issuing of permits for the development of private wind farms are currently stopped.
In July 2010, engineers at the Ceylon Electricity Board raised further concerns regarding the approval of private wind projects with extra high tariffs, presumably some of the highest tariffs in the world.[13] A review of the current wind power tariff is expected to be carried out on the 12 of September 2010,[14] after an agreed postponement.[15]
Solar power [edit]
Grid-connected solar power has only recently been introduced. The only operational commercial-scale solar-powered facility is the Buruthakanda Solar Park of 1.2 MW, operated by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).[16]
Geothermal power [edit]
Geothermal power is currently under research, although no power stations of this type is currently operational.[17][18][19]
Nuclear power [edit]
Nuclear power is currently being considered by the government, with intentions to implement by 2025-2030.[20][21]
Power transmission [edit]
Transmission network [edit]
| Line | No. of Ground Wires | No. of circuits | Nominal Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonnawa-Athurugiriya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Pannipitiya-Ratmalana | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Biyagama-Pannipitiya | 2 | 2 | 220kV |
| Biyagama-Kotmale | 2 | 2 | 220kV |
| Kothmale-Kiribathkumbura | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Kiribathkumbura-Ukuwela | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Kiribathkumbura-Kurunagala | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| Puttalam-Madampa | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| Ukuwela-Bowatanna | 1 | 1 | 132kV |
| Ukuwela-Naula | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Naula-Habarana | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Habarana-Old Anuradhapura | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| Old Anuradhapura-Puttalam | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| New Laxapana-Bogawanthalawa Estate | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| New Anuradhapura-Vavuni | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| Embilipitiya-Thimbolketiya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| New Laxapana-Canyon PS | 2 | 1 | 132kV |
| Old Laxapana-Polpitiya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Kotmale-Polpitiya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Nuwara Eliya-Badulla | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Old Laxapana-Nuwara Eliya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Badulla-Medagama | 2 | 1 | 132kV |
| Polpitiya-Seethawake | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Seethawake-Kosgama | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Athurugiriya-Thulhiriya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Embilipitiya-Hambantota | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Balangoda-Samanalawewa | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Balangoda-Rathnapura | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Balangoda-Deniyaya | 1 | 2 | 132kV |
| Matara-Embilipitiya | 2 | 2 | 132kV |
| Habarana-Valachchenai | 1 | 1 | 132kV |
| Kelanitissa-Biyagama | 2 | 2 | 220kV |
-
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
India – Sri Lanka grid interconnection [edit]
The connection involves the linking of the national grids of India and Sri Lanka via Rameshwaram in south India, and Talaimannar in north-west Sri Lanka. The project involves the construction of a HVDC connection between Madurai in southern India, and Anuradhapura in central Sri Lanka, through the Palk Strait. The link would measure approximately 285 kilometres (177 mi) in length, including 50 kilometres (31 mi) of submarine cables, and would take more than three years to construct. It would be implemented by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Ceylon Electricity Board.[22]
Electricity utilization [edit]
End-user power tariffs [edit]
The current monthly end-user electricity tariffs effective from 20 April 2013 are as follows:
| User | Unit (kWh)/Time range | Tariff (Rs./kWh) |
Fixed Charge (Rs./kWh) |
Fuel Adjustment Charge (% of Total Energy Charge) |
Max. Demand Charge (Rs./kVA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (D-1) | 000-030 | 5.00 | 30.00 | 25 | Not Applicable |
| 031-060 | 6.00 | 60.00 | 35 | ||
| 061-090 | 8.50 | 90.00 | 40 | ||
| 091-120 | 15.00 | 315.00 | |||
| 121-180 | 20.00 | ||||
| 181-210 | 24.00 | ||||
| 211-300 | 26.00 | ||||
| 301-900 | 32.00 | ||||
| ≥901 | 34.00 | ||||
| Religious (R-1) | 000-030 | 1.90 | 30.00 | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| 031-090 | 2.50 | 60.00 | |||
| 091-120 | 3.50 | 180.00 | |||
| 121-180 | 5.00 | 180.00 | |||
| ≥181 | 7.50 | 240.00 | |||
| General Purpose (GP) | GP-1: ≤210 | 19.50 | 240.00 | 25 | Not Applicable |
| GP-1: ≥211 | 21.50 | ||||
| GP-2: Day (05:30-18:30) | 20.50 | 3,000.00 | 1,100 | ||
| GP-2: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 25.00 | ||||
| GP-2: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 14.50 | ||||
| GP-3: Day (05:30-18:30) | 19.50 | 1,000 | |||
| GP-3: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 24.00 | ||||
| GP-3: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 13.50 | ||||
| Government (GV) [Note 1] |
GV-1: ∞ | 14.65 | 600.00 | 0 or 25 | Not Applicable |
| GV-2: ∞ | 14.55 | 3,000.00 | 1,100 | ||
| GV-3: ∞ | 14.35 | 1,000 | |||
| Hotel (H) | H-1: ∞ | 22.00 | 600.00 | 15 | Not Applicable |
| H-2: Day (05:30-18:30) | 15.00 | 3,000.00 | 1,100 | ||
| H-2: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 24.00 | ||||
| H-2: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 10.00 | ||||
| H-3: Day (05:30-18:30) | 12.60 | 1,000 | |||
| H-3: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 16.40 | ||||
| H-3: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 8.85 | ||||
| Industry (I) | I-1: ∞ | 12.50 | 600.00 | 15 | Not Applicable |
| I-2: Day (05:30-18:30) | 11.30 | 3,000.00 | 1,100 | ||
| I-2: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 21.00 | ||||
| I-2: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 7.00 | ||||
| I-3: Day (05:30-18:30) | 10.50 | 1,000 | |||
| I-3: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 24.00 | ||||
| I-3: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 6.00 | ||||
| Street Lighting | ∞ | 17.00 | Not Applicable | ||
Net metering [edit]
In July 2010, the Ministry of Power and Energy, along with the Lanka Electricity Company and the Ceylon Electricity Board introduced net metering, where consumers could generate their own power from renewable sources and credit excess production back to the power utility.[24] While the power utility will not pay-back in monetary values irrespective of how much credit a household generates, it allows the transferring of this credit between households.[25] The first solar power facility, intended for net metering was commissioned in July 2010.[26]
Entities exempted for electricity-usage charges [edit]
Per Section 21-2 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009,[27] the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has granted the following entities exemptions in electricity usage:
| Exemption No. | Person/Entity | Premises | Gazette No. & Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EL/EX-D/11/001 | MAS Fabric Park (Private) Limited | MAS Fabric Park, Kurunegala Road, Thulhiriya | Extraordinary Gazette – No.1725/14 28 September 2011 |
| EL/EX-D/11/002 | Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC | World Trade Centre, Echelon Square, Colombo 1 | |
| EL/EX-D/11/003 | Mireka Capital Land (Private) Limited | 324, Havelock Road, Colombo 6 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/001 | Asian Hotels and Properties PLC | No.89, Galle Road, Colombo 3 | General Gazette – No.1744, 3 February 2012 |
| EL/EX-D/12/002 | BOC Property Development & Management (Private) Limited | BOC Merchant Tower, 28, St. Michael’s Road, Colombo 3 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/003 | Millenium Development (Private) Limited | Excel World Entertainment Park, 338, T B Jayah Mawatha, Colombo – 10 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/004 | Property Finance and Investments Kandy (Private) Limited | Kandy City Centre, 05, Dalada Vidiya, Kandy | |
| EL/EX-D/12/005 | Whittall Boustead (Private) Limited | 148, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/006 | Ceylon Carriers (Private) Limited | 104, Nawala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 5 | Extraordinary Gazette – No.1749/8, 12 March 2012 |
| EL/EX-D/12/007 | JayKay Marketing Services (Private) Limited | K-Zone Shopping Mall, 340, Galle Road, Moratuwa | Extraordinary Gazette – No.1757/19, 11 May 2012 |
| EL/EX-D/12/008 | Platinum Realty Investments (Private) Limited | 01, Bagatale Road, Colombo 3 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/009 | Union Residencies (Private) Limited | No.200, Union Place, Colombo 2 | |
| EL/EX-D/12/010 | Pelwatte Sugar Industries PLC | Pelwatte Sugar Industries Buttala | |
| EL/EX-G/12/001 | Tokyo Cement Power (Lanka) Limited | 10 MW Biomass Power Plant, Cod Bay, China Bay, Trincomalee | Extraordinary Gazette – No.1759/31, 23 May 2012 |
See also [edit]
References and Notes [edit]
Notes [edit]
- ^ Schools, hospitals, vocational training institutions and universities included, which are fully owned by the Government, funded through the national budget, and providing services free-of-charge to the general public. Hospitals and schools are exempted from the Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC).
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e f CEB Statistics, retrieved 2012-10-07
- ^ a b c Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2011 pg. 58
- ^ a b c Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2012 pg. 58
- ^ Energy permits for small hydro projects, retrieved 2012-10-07
- ^ No more coal plants, retrieved 2010-08-08
- ^ Ministry: Current energy projects, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ G. Juleff, "An ancient wind powered iron smelting technology in Sri Lanka", Nature 379(3), 60–63 (January, 1996)
- ^ Energy permits for wind projects (PDF), retrieved 2010-10-22
- ^ Sri Lanka wind power probe to finish soon, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ a b Wind powered electricity generation projects halted, retrieved 2010-09-12
- ^ Uproar over wind power scheme, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ SLSEA rejects CEB engineers’ concerns, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ CEB to purchase wind power at world’s highest price, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Revision of Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Based Electricity Purchase Tariffs, retrieved 2010-09-12
- ^ Extension of Period allowed for representations on proposed Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Based Electricity Purchase Tariffs, retrieved 2010-09-12
- ^ Energy permits for solar projects (PDF), retrieved 2010-10-22
- ^ Sri Lanka is to develop geothermal power, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Geothermal energy in Sri Lanka, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Geothermal energy for growing power demand, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Nuke option, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Sri Lanka to go nuclear, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ "India-Sri Lanka 285-Km Power Transmission Link By 2013". RTT News (Global Energy Network Institute). 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2010-03-08.
- ^ "Electricity Tariffs for 2013". Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. April 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
- ^ Sri Lanka power utility to start net metering, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Net metering of electricity, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ Sri Lanka gets first ever net metered solar photovoltaic plant, retrieved 2010-08-07
- ^ "Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009" (PDF). Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 8 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
- ^ "Electricity Exemptions Granted to Persons as per the Section 21 (2) of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009" (PDF). Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka. 1 April 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
