Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday alleged that the government is attempting to pass on losses caused by the use of low-quality coal at the Norochcholai Power Plant to electricity consumers through higher tariffs.
Issuing a special statement, Premadasa said the Lakvijaya Norochcholai Power Plant had failed to generate the required power output in recent days.
He claimed that the plant was unable to produce the scheduled 810 megawatts on Sunday (15), noting that the first unit generated 216 MW, the second unit 230 MW and the third unit 232 MW. According to him, the total power generation on the day had reached only around 678 MW.
Premadasa alleged that the shortfall was due to the government using low-quality coal at the plant for the first time in its history.
He said when coal plants fail to generate the required power, authorities are forced to produce electricity through fuel-based power plants, which significantly increases production costs.
The Opposition Leader claimed that the government is attempting to recover these additional costs from electricity consumers by increasing electricity tariffs.
He warned that the final outcome would be the burden being passed on to around 7.5 million electricity consumers.
Premadasa further alleged that the government is attempting to justify a possible electricity tariff increase by citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
He urged the government to disclose the truth to the public regarding the use of low-quality coal at the Norochcholai Power Plant.
Premadasa also said that if the government proceeds with increasing electricity tariffs, the opposition will take the matter to the public and protest against the move. (NewsWire)