Due to the prevailing rainy weather for nearly a month, the water levels in the Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs—linked to major hydroelectric power stations—have been rising rapidly, engineers in charge of the reservoirs told The Island.
As of Tuesday (17), the water level in the Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs was just 16 feet and 12 feet below spill level, respectively, they said.
The Maussakelle and Castlereigh reservoirs are the primary sources of water for several hydro power plants including Canyon,Wimalasurendra, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya, and Broadlands power station.
With the heavy rains experienced in recent days, these hydroelectric power stations are now operating at maximum capacity, CEB media spokesperson Engineer Dhammika Wimalaratne told the The Island.
The Hydropower generation has increased as a result, bringing potential benefits to electricity consumers in the form of reduced electricity bills, he added.
According to him, the power plants are currently operating at a maximum capacity of 1,400 megawatts.
