Hydro power generation nears 80 pc
Jayasiri Munasinghe
 Hydro power can be utilised to generate almost 80 percent of the
country’s electricity demands this year since all hydro reservoirs are
filled to capacity following the recent heavy rains, Treasury and
Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr P B Jayasundara said.
“As such, diesel plants will be required to produce only 20 percent
of electricity, thereby saving a large sum spent on energy,” he said.
Dr Jayasundara said last year, hydro power was used to generate 70
percent of the demand for electricity while fuel was used to produce the
balance 30 percent.
The ability to use hydro power to produce electricity as an
alternative to fuel would be a great impetus for the development of the
country’s economy, he said. Dr Jayasundara said the government’s
objective was to provide each and every household with electricity by
the end of this year. He said the country’s fuel bill last year had been
US $ 5.5million.
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