Electricity tariffs proposed to be increased

The government is of the view that electricity tariffs need to be revised after nine long years, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says.

While plans are underway to implement an electricity tariff hike, the government also intends to commence a rapid renewable energy generation plan from the 1st of June to overcome the power crisis. One such suggestions under this plan is the installation of rooftop solar panels in industries, hotels, and in government buildings during the month of June as a possible revision in electricity tariffs are expected to triple in most of these sectors.

“We will inform government institutions and private industries in writing about the level of the tariff hike they will be subjected to once a tariff revision is implemented. If they invest their monthly cost incurred for electricity on installing rooftop solar panels, we will discuss with these companies in settling the investment on a monthly basis.

“We are exploring the possibility of importing solar panels to private companies via the Indian credit line.” Under the rapid renewable energy generation plan, the Ministry of Power has also ordered the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) and the CEB to provide provisional approvals for the proposed renewable energy protects.

“It is said that approvals cannot be given to renewable energy projects without a transmission line and due to the lack of grid capacity. What is being said is to develop grid capacity and the transmission line to grant the approval.