by Namini Wijedasa
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has invited proposals for the emergency supply of electricity, just days after Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya pledged to resign if he cannot ensure continuous power supply within 180 days.

Only 16 days have been allowed for the submission of proposals.

In a notice issued yesterday, the CEB has called for proposals from reputed companies for the generation and supply of electricity on emergency basis to meet the short-term power generation requirements of the country. The objective of inviting these bids is to meet the present deficit of electricity supply in the country, it says.

The period of supply is specified as up to June 2002 with the possibility of extending the contract beyond this date by mutual agreement but the CEB has reserved the right to determine the necessity of extending the contract.

The Power and Energy Ministry has decided that capacity requirement would be determined at the time of finalising the agreements and will depend on the dynamic assessment of system requirements including the available storage in the hydro reservoirs at the time.

The terms between the CEB and the selected bidder will be governed by a Power Purchase Agreement.