Electricity Demand Soars Amid Weather Stress; Hydropower Rises to Offset Solar Losses

COLOMBO (News 1st): Due to the prevailing weather conditions, electricity consumption yesterday reached 2,959 megawatts during the day and increased to 3,072 megawatts at night. 

Of the total electricity produced during the day, 21% came from solar power, 14% from hydroelectric generation, and 26% from fuel-based sources.

The country’s main power plant, the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, is currently contributing around 670 megawatts to the national grid. 

Hydropower production, which accounted for 14% earlier, has now risen to 42.2%, compensating for the loss of 1,500 megawatts from solar power plants during the night.

Meanwhile, reservoir water levels are dropping rapidly. 

As of yesterday, the Castlereigh Reservoir was at 30%, the Kotmale Reservoir at 28%, and the Victoria Reservoir at 66% capacity.

Despite this, the Water Management Committee has decided to release 6.5 million cubic meters of water daily from the Victoria Reservoir and 8.5 million cubic meters from the Rantambe Reservoir for electricity generation.