Wind Power Deal Sparks Rs. 20 Billion Overcharge Concerns
- CNL Reporter
- June 2, 2025
- News
- Wind Power
- 0 Comments
A proposed wind power project in Puttalam, involving six 10 MW plants, is reportedly being advanced without Cabinet-approved tariff revisions, potentially costing the public over Rs. 20 billion.
According to The Sunday Morning, private developers could benefit from outdated, higher electricity purchase rates, ultimately burdening consumers. A Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) engineer revealed that renewable projects under 10 MW bypass competitive bidding, with prices instead set by a Ministry of Energy-appointed committee.
The current rate of Rs. 29.80 per unit, set in 2024, remains in effect despite a recommended drop to Rs. 23 per unit for 2025. A Cabinet paper to update the rate, submitted in March, remains stalled due to the Finance Ministry’s delayed response, sources claim. Critics allege that pushing these projects through at old rates constitutes an overpricing scheme at public expense.
