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With the onset of the South West Monsoon bringing with it large quantities of rainwater to the hydro catchment areas, including the mini-hydro power plants the Ceylon Electricity Board has decided to shut down all diesel and thermal power plants across the island.
With the wind currents generated as a result of the monsoon conditions the Thambapanni Windmill would be able to contribute over 2 million units of electricity (10% of the total national grid). Collectively the wind and hydro power plants would be able to generate the entire 200 million unit quota of the national grid.
The move by the CEB is said to contribute to the saving of over LKR 5 billion as it costs an estimated LKR 30 to produce a unit of electricity from diesel fuel while it only costs a mere LKR 2 to produce a unit of electricity from hydro power.
The Chairman of the CEB Vijitha Herath went on to mention that the Norchcholai thermal power plant would also be shut down for repairs as part of the shutdown process.
He went on to reaffirm that the CEB does not have any plans to initiate an 8 hour power cut as a result of the shutting down of coal and diesel power plants. While accusing the ‘diesel mafia’ of spreading false rumours the chairman requested the general public to trust only authorized and reliable sources and not to panic as a result of the spread of false rumours.