The government cannot yet provide a specific timeline for reductions in electricity tariffs as the country expands solar and other renewable energy sources, Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka said.
Responding to a question on when consumers could expect lower electricity bills as renewable energy and battery storage projects are introduced under the country’s plans, Karunathilaka said it was difficult to provide a definite timeline.
“As we have explained, our plan is to bring in more solar power and renewable energy sources and reduce the cost of generation,” he said.
The Minister said the relevant assumptions are made on a year-by-year basis by the Ceylon Electricity Board and other relevant institutions.
“As these things are gradually added and our costs come down, the assumptions made for each year will also decrease,” he said.
Karunathilaka said electricity tariffs are calculated based on these costs, with reductions in generation costs reflected in the tariff calculation.
“Therefore, we cannot say percentage-wise that it will decrease by this much after this period,” he said.
He added that the benefits from the gradual addition of renewable energy sources would be passed on to consumers through the tariff-setting process. (Newswire)
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