Public Utilities Commission Employees Call For Up To 24 Percent Reduction In Power Tariffs
Editor
February 16, 2024
The Employees of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has urged the Commission to reduce electricity tariffs by 20 to 24 percent.They also stressed that due to the ad hoc decisions of some stakeholders, consumers are at the receiving end of exploitation, thus, there should be justice to them.
Employees of the PUCSL have scheduled a meeting with its Secretary Rohan Weerasuriya (February 15).PUCSL yesterday said that plans are in the pipeline to revise electricity rates before March, following public consultations and analysis of proposals submitted by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).PUCSL Chairman, Manjula Fernando, yesterday told journalists that public comments will be gathered on February 15th at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.
He added: “After public consultation, the commission will meet and take immediate steps to reduce the electricity tariffs.”This initiative follows a request by the PUCSL for the CEB to propose revised tariff, considering 2023 profits and favorable hydro power capacity.
On January 16th, the CEB presented a proposal recommending a 3.34% reduction of power tariffs.
However, the PUSCL identified concerns in the CEB’s proposal.
The proposal included a 100 MW electricity purchase without commission approval and from unlicensed sources.
Depreciation for power plants was included in capacity charges, even though these were built with government funds, leading to an inflated cost estimate for 2024.
The PUSCL deemed the proposed distribution cost for 2024 to be an overestimate.
The CEB’s 2023 profit of Rs. 48.722 billion was not factored into the proposed reduction.
The PUSCL emphasized its commitment to transparency and invited public input through oral comments at the BMICH. The registration period for this session closed on Monday, 12th February.
Meanwhile, Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that he has no power to decide on the power tariff and it is up to the Commission to decide on it.
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