Power Cuts in Sri Lanka 2012: A Critical Review

Abstract

This report analyses the explanations provided by the government in announcements regarding scheduled power cuts in 2012. The standard explanations for power cuts were: (i) Unexpectedly high growth in demand; (ii) Shortage in generation capacity (iii) Reduced rainfall in catchment areas; and (iv) Breakdown of the Chinese built coal power station. Using data and analysis, this brief concludes that the first two reasons are incorrect and that the third and fourth reasons are only partial explanations. The brief then infers a hidden explanation for the power cuts—the unprecedented aggressive exploitation of hydropower since 2010.