Electricity Consumers’ Assoc. accuses govt. of attempting to approve ten solar power projects through backdoor

 Electricity Consumers’ Association Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika says the government is attempting to approve 10 solar power projects through a Cabinet subcommittee, bypassing the established procedures. Addressing the media at Katubedda yesterday, Dhammika charged that if implemented, the project would cause an additional financial burden of Rs. 33,600 on every electricity consumer.

“Normally, when a company initiates a solar project, it must bear the cost of power transmission as required by law. However, the government is now preparing to cover those costs on behalf of ten selected companies,” he said.

According to Dhammika, the government has already estimated the transmission cost of the 10 projects at over Rs. 233 billion, which will be passed on to the public. “That means an expense previously borne by private companies will now fall on the shoulders of the people,” he said.

“When divided among Sri Lanka’s 6.9 million electricity consumers, this amounts to an additional Rs. 33,600 per customer,” he noted.

“It’s like charging consumers for 33,000 watts of electricity they never used,” Dhammika said, claiming that while the government typically purchased solar power at Rs. 17.60 per unit, it had agreed to buy power from those 10 projects at Rs. 18 per unit, despite the availability of suppliers willing to provide over 300 MW at lower rates.

“This is similar to the controversial LNG agreement that replaced diesel power generation,” he said.

Dhammika added that when calculated over a five-year period, the government’s Rs. 233 billion commitment translated to a non-interest cost of Rs. 38.63 per unit, which, combined with the Rs. 18 purchase price, would raise cost per unit to Rs. 56.63.

“This is not a solar power promotion – it’s a new way to burden the people for the benefit of a few companies,” Dhammika said.

A senior CEB official, contacted for comment, said they would issue a detailed response later.

By Anuradha Hiripitiyage