“Uninterrupted Fuel Supply to Power Plants Was Prioritized, No Special Preference Given to Thermal Power Plants”
Minister of Energy said in Parliament today (21) that no special priority had been given to thermal power plants, although measures had been taken to ensure an interrupted fuel supply to power plants amid highly increasing fuel prices, rising electricity demand and the reduced hydropower generation caused by dry weather conditions.
The Minister made these remarks in response to a question raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake about payments related to renewable energy development.
The Minister further stated that renewable energy will not be curtailed or discouraged, and that certain measures will be taken to maintain the stability of the grid during times of low electricity demand and high renewable energy supply.
He also mentioned that construction of Battery Energy storage Systems (BESS) for storing renewable energy will continue, noting that the tender for a 160MW storage system has already been awarded, and that a tender for a another 300MW storage system is to be floated in the near future.