1.4.

4 Gross Energy Demand in Sri Lanka

Energy demand arises owing to energy needs of households, industries, commercial buildings, etc.
According to the needs of the user, the supply of energy has to take different forms. For example, the
energy demand for cooking is in the form of biomass in rural areas, while it is in the form of either LP gas
or electricity in urban areas. Therefore, not only the quantity of energy, even the quality and the form it
is delivered, is determined by the demand. Supply of energy discussed up to now is a direct
consequence of the demand for energy, which is analysed in detail in this chapter. Energy is a vital
building block for economic growth. This chapter analyses the energy demand from electricity,
petroleum and biomass.

The Electricity System Demand

Electricity demand has two aspects. The first being the energy demand where the cumulative electrical
energy requirement is met by the supply system. The peak demand is the other criterion to be fulfilled in
meeting the national electricity demand. The generating system needs to be able to meet the peak
demand of the national grid. Since the national demand profile has an evening peak, the capability of
the supply system in meeting the demand during the evenings (i.e. peak period) is important. Figure 6.1
shows the hourly demand profile of 8 April, 2013, the day the system recorded the annual peak.

Figure 1.4.5 Electricity System Demand Profile on April 08, 2013

Source: Sri Lanka Energy Balance 2013. Sustainable Energy Authority

System load factors in the range 55%-65% are typical of a customer mix dominated by households with a
high demand for electricity used for lighting in the evening. The peak demand in 2013 was 2,164.2 MW.
The system reserve margin declined by 4.9% in 2013. Figure 6.2 depicts the development of the system
load factor, reserve margin and peak demand from 1977 to present . Table 1.4.15 shows the
development of the system peak demand, Total Gross generation system load factor and other salient
data over the years. The system load factor and the reserve margin increase indicate a healthy growth
and stability in the electricity sector.

Table 1.4.15 The Growth in System Capacity and Demand

Source: Sri Lanka Energy Balance 2013. Sustainable Energy Authority

Figure 1.4.6 Development of System Load Factor, Reserve Margin and Peak Demand

Source: Sri Lanka Energy Balance 2013. Sustainable Energy Authority