With sufficient rainfall in the hydro-catchment areas, the use of fuel for thermal power generation can be reduced, and the maximum power cut would be restricted to five hours, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union said.

They said the Sojitz and West Coast power plants only have diesel in stock.

The fuel in hand with the Sojitz power plant would only be sufficient for one day, while the West Coast power plant has diesel for a maximum of two days, the union said.

However, the hydro and wind power electricity generation have increased.

Considering all power generation sources, except the thermal power plants, the maximum power shedding hours would be five, the CEB union added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)