The Ceylon Electricity Board’s hydro-power generation has fallen to 15 percent due to the prevailing drought and hence 85 percent of the required power is being generated through fuel and coal power plants, says the chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

CEB chairman W.B. Ganegala told AdaderanaBiz that the board’s losses have increased since it is currently incurring heavier losses due to the high cost of thermal electricity generation.

“During the rainy season around 75 percent of our power generation was through hydro power plants. The losses to the CEB have increased due to the current increase in thermal power generation, ,” added Ganegala.

Earlier, AdaderanaBiz reported that the demand for electricity in Sri Lanka had increased due to the usage of air-conditioning and fans during this prevailing drought conditions.

The decrease in hydropower generation on the one hand and the increase in demand for power on the other could be considered as the CEB being sandwiched between pressures from both sides.