By Ifham Nizam
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to revise its Draft Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) 2025-2044, incorporating more robust projections for renewable energy and battery storage, while also reassessing LNG infrastructure and procurement strategies.
The Island Financial Review reliably learns PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe emphasized the need for “more robust and realistic cost assumptions for Renewable Technologies and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).”
The Commission stressed that BESS should be valued not just as a renewable integration tool but also for its potential to mitigate power shortages.
The directive also calls for revisions in LNG infrastructure planning, including “a comprehensive analysis covering LNG fuel cost calculation, infrastructure development, procurement contracting options, and risks associated with supply and procurement.” PUCSL has specifically highlighted the importance of evaluating the financial and economic feasibility of a natural gas pipeline from Kerawalapitiya to Kelanitissa.
Kanchana Siriwardena, Deputy Director General – Industry Services, reinforced the Commission’s stance on renewable energy, stating that “further reductions in renewable energy curtailment should be explored by incorporating more BESS.”
The PUCSL’s instructions also mandate incorporating clauses from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Petronet India, which includes a temporary LNG supply for the Sobadhanavi Plant. The revised LTGEP must also factor in infrastructure costs related to the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) and pipeline networks as part of the overall LNG cost calculation.
The CEB is expected to resubmit the revised plan for PUCSL’s approval, ensuring alignment with Sri Lanka’s long-term energy security and sustainability goals.
The PUCSL directive also calls for a comprehensive evaluation of various LNG procurement options and associated risks. These include:
LNG infrastructure development and expansion
Contracting options for LNG procurement
Risks related to LNG supply and procurement stability
Robustness of natural gas demand calculations
Economic feasibility of the proposed natural gas pipeline from Kerawalapitiya to Kelanitissa, given the low plant factors of power stations at Kelanitissa.
