⚡ What Went Unnoticed in the Last CEB Tariff Reduction? 🇱🇰 While many focused on the overall tariff cuts, a key change slipped under the radar. With the latest tariff revision (last month), PUCSL reduced the peak-time Domestic TOU tariff from Rs. 72 to Rs. 55, bringing it back to 2015 levels (Rs. 54). 🔹 What is TOU? Time of Use (TOU) is a special electricity tariff that charges different rates based on the time of day: ✅ Off-Peak (10:30 PM – 5:30 AM): Rs. 13/unit ✅ Day (5:30 AM – 6:30 PM): Rs. 25/unit ❌ Peak (6:30 PM – 10:30 PM): Rs. 55/unit ⭕ Who Benefits? TOU is mainly used by high-consumption households (~>300 units) with 30A, 3-phase connections, often with multiple air conditioners running during peak hours. ⭕ If the peak-time rate was higher, these households might have reduced AC usage, easing stress on the grid. Now, with rates at 2015 levels, there’s no incentive to cut consumption. ⭕ With the prevailing hot weather, Sri Lanka’s peak demand now exceeds 2750MW, forcing CEB to rely more on high-cost thermal power plants to meet peak demand. ⭕ CEB profited in the last 6 months due to heavy rains, prompting PUCSL to pass the relief to consumers through tariff reductions. However, CEB is now losing money, and in the next tariff revision, a 20%+ hike is inevitable. ⭕ Short-term tariff relief is welcome, but poor regulatory decisions—like reducing TOU peak rates —worsen CEB’s losses, leading to higher future tariff hikes that burden regular consumers. #srilanka 🇱🇰 #electricity #toutariff