– Electricity tariff fluctuations could be minimized if Sri Lanka reduces its reliance on thermal power generation and increases the use of renewable energy sources, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman K. P. L. Chandralal said.Speaking at a media briefing held today (24) on the purchase of electricity from power plants using different energy sources, Chandralal said the high cost of thermal power generation had been a key factor behind electricity tariff fluctuations in recent years.

He said Sri Lanka should make greater use of available solar and other renewable energy sources instead of continuing to rely heavily on thermal power.Chandralal also said that thermal power generation places pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves, as the fuel required for power generation has to be imported.He said fluctuations in global oil prices could affect the cost of imported fuel and, consequently, the cost of electricity generation. Such changes in generation costs could eventually impact electricity tariffs, he added.

Chandralal said that reducing dependence on thermal power and increasing the contribution of renewable energy to the country’s electricity generation mix would help reduce cost fluctuations and ensure greater stability in electricity tariffs.