POWER REQUIREMENT OF COLOMBO PORT 
FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS AND A SLPA OWNED 
POWER PLANT TO MEET THE FUTURE 
DEMAND 
A dissertation submitted to the 
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa 
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the 
Degree of Master of Science 
By 
P.A.R.D.PATHIRAJA 
Supervised by: Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya 
Dr. Lanka Udawatta 
Department of Electrical Engineering 
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka 
January 2006 
S 5 :J J J 
The port of Colombo is the hub port in the South Asian region. The number of 
containers handled at the port has been on the increase over two decades. To meet this 
increasing container business, there are long term and short term development plans. 
Some have been completed and others are in the planning stage. 
Electrical power requirements increase with the increase in the container volume 
handled. Increased operation and competition in the industry requires faster turn-
around, for which a reliable power supply is essential. The use of sensitive equipment 
in ports also requires a higher power quality. An outage of electricity supply is 
estimated to cost about 30,000US$<hour to the Colombo Port. Furthermore, when 
power supply is restored, all port activities cannot begin simultaneously but follow a 
sequence. 
The objective of this research was to examine way of increasing power reliability and 
power quality as well as to minimize the cost of power with the increasing port 
activities. The period considered was 2006 to 2020. 
In this study present electricity demand at the port of Colombo was calculated. For 
this all the port facilities were considered. Then the total electricity consumption was 
calculated by considering the power usage by each port facility. Then the future 
forecast of the power demand for the period 2006 to 2020 was done. For this forecast, 
the past data of container throughput at the port of Colombo, Electricity Tariff of 
Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lankan Rupees fluctuation against US$, price of Diesel 
fuel, price of heavy oil fuel and generation of electricity by standby Diesel generators 
due to Ceylon Electricity Board power outages were taken. Also future developments 
of the port facilities and other organizations inside the port were taken into account. 
By using the results of the forecast, the financial calculation was done for the period 
2006 to 2020. 
The same analysis was repeated by ignoring the inflation. 
The analysis clearly shows that the self generation of electricity is beneficial to the 
port both in financial saving and power reliability and quality and will directly impact 
on the efficient and reliable port activities. Using the analysis a decision can be taken 
to improve the power supply to meet the power requirement of the port of Colombo 
with increasing port activities in the future. 
DECLARATION 
The work submitted in this dissertation is the result of my own investigation, except 
where otherwise stated. 
It has not already been accepted for any degree, and is also not being concurrently 
submitted for any other degree. 
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P.A.R.D.Pathiraja 
)...0 . 01.2006 
We/1 endorse the declaration by the candidate. 
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ilak Siya 
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Dr. Lanka Udawatta 
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Declaration 
Abstract 
Acknowledgement 
List of Figures 
List of Tables 
1. Introduction 
1.1 Background 
1.2 Scope of Work 
CONTENTS 
2. Present Electricity Demand 
2.1 Capacity Required (kV A Demand) by Different Utilities in the Port 
2.1.1 Container Terminals 
2.1.2 Tlluminm ion 
2.1.3 Other Services 
2.1.4 Organizations Inside the Port 
2.1.5 Total Electricity Demand 
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01 
02 
04 
04 
04 
05 
05 
06 
06 
3. Present Electricity Consumption 07 
3.1 Electricity Consumption by Different Utilities in the Port (kWh/Month) 07 
4. Past Data Collected 08 
4.1 Container Throughput at the Port of Colombo 08 
4.2 Electricity Tariff of Ceylon Electricity Board 09 
4.3 Sri Lankan Rupees Fluctuation Against US$ 10 
4.4 Wholesale Price of Diesel Fuel 11 
4.5 Wholesale Price of Heavy Oil Fuel 11 
4.6 Generation ofElectricity (kWh/Year) by Standby Diesel Generators due to 
CEB Outages During Last Five Years 12 
5. Future Development of the Port of Colombo 
5.1 Future Developments of Port Facilities ·.t-
5.2 Future Developments of Other Organizations Inside the Port 
13 
13 
14 
6. The Future Forecast ~ 15 
6.1 The Future Forecast Criteria .,.,..:·· · 15 
6.2 Future Forecast for the Period of 2006 to 2020 .. r 15 
6.2.1 Container Throughput at the Port of Colombo (TEU/ Anum) 15 
6.2.2 Forecast of Electricity Consumption ~"- 17 
6.2.3 Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) Required for ~ear 2006 and 
2007 ; ., 19 
6.2.4 Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) to be Added With Colombo 
South Harbour Terminall in 2008 and Termina12 in 2016 20 
6.2.4.1 Capacity of Electricity Supply (kV A) to be Added With 
Colombo South Harbour Terminal I in 2008 20 
6.2.4.2 Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) to be Added With 
Colombo South Harbour Terminal2 in 2016 21 
11 
6.2.5 Forecast ofCEB Tariff 21 
6.2.6 Forecast of US$ vs. SLRs. 24 
6.2. 7 Forecast of Price of Diesel Fuel 25 
6.2.8 Forecast ofPrice of Heavy Oil Fuel 27 
6.2.9 Forecast of Generation of Electricity (kWh) by Standby Diesel 
Generators due to CEB Outages 28 
7. Financial Calculation 30 
7.1 Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity for the Period 2006 to 
2020 30 
7.2 Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants for the Period 2006 to 2020 31 
7.3 Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy Oil Fuel 
Generating Plant for the Period 2006 to 2020 33 
7.4 Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel Generators 
During CEB Outages 36 
7.5 Analysis Without Considering Sri Lankan Rupee Val~ Fluctuation, CEB 
Tariff Variation and Fuel Cost Variation 37 
7.5.1 Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity 37 
7.5 .2 Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel 
Generators due to CEB Outages 38 
7 .5.3 Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants 39 
7.5.4 Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy 
Oil Fuel Generating Plants 40 
8. Results and Conclusion 41 
8.1 Total Cost for the Electricity for the Period of 2006 to 2020 41 
8.2 Total Cost for the Electricity for the Period of2006 to 2020 Without 
Considering Sri Lankan Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB TariffVariation 
and Fuel Cost Variation 42 
8.3 Saving, if Self Generation Using Heavy Oil Fuel Generating Plants 43 
8.4 Benefit to the Port, if Self Generation Using Heavy Oil Fuel Generating 
Plants .' _ 43 
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9. Conclusion and Recommendation 
9.1 Conclusion 
9.2 Recommendation 
References 
Appendices ~A-
, 
Appendix A Forecast of Electricity Consumption for the Period of2006 to 
2020 
Appendix B CEB Tariff Forecast on Past Five Years Records 
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Appendix C Past Records and Forecast ofCEB Tariff, US$ vs. SLRs, Price of 
Diesel Fuel, Price of Heavy Oil Fuel 
Ill 
44 
44 
44 
45 
46 
49 
61 
Appendix D Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity for the Period 2006 to 
2020 64 
Appendix E Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants for the Period 2006 to2020 67 
Appendix F A Summery of Cost Estimate for the Self Generation ofElectricity 
Using Diesel Generating Plants for the Period 2006 to2020 70 
Appendix G Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy Oil 
Fuel Generating Plant for the Period 2006 to 2020 73 
Appendix H A Summary of Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity 
Using Heavy Oil Fuel Generating Plant for the Period 2006 to 2020 76 
Appendix I Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel 
Generators During CEB Outages 77 
Appendix J A Summary of Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby 
Diesel Generators During CEB Outages 79 
Appendix K Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity Without Considering Sri 
Lankan Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB Tariff V afiation and Fuel Cost 
Variation 80 
Appendix L Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel 
Generators due to CEB Outages Without Considering Rupee Value 
Fluctuation, CEB TariffVariation and Fuel Price Variation 81 
Appendix M Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants Without Considering Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB 
TariffVariation and Fuel Price Variation 83 
Appendix N Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy Oil 
Fuel Generating Plants Without Considering Rupee Value Fluctuation, 
CEB TariffVariation and Fuel Price Variation 86 
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IV 
Acknowledgements 
First I thank to my supervisors Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya and Dr. Lanka Udawatta for 
giving me a help and guidance. My sincere thanks should go to the Lecturers and 
other officers of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka for 
helping me in various ways to conduct my research work as well as my academic 
work in time. Also I should thanks to officers in Sri Lanka Ports Authority who 
helped and encouraged me in various ways. 
My sincere gratitude is also extended to my friends and colleagues. 
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List of Figures: 
Figure 1 
Figure 4.1 
Figure 6.2.1 
Figure 6.2.2 
Figure 6.2.5a 
Figure 6.2.5b 
Figure 6.2.5c 
Figure 6.2.6 
Figure 6.2.7 
Figure 6.2.8 
Figure 6.2.9 
Main Shipping Route Across the World 
Container Throughputs at the Port of Colombo 
Past Records and Future Forecast of Container Throughput at the Port 
of Colombo 
Forecast of Electricity Consumption (kWh/ annum) 
Past Records and Forecast of CEB Tariff- Fixed Charge 
Past Records and Forecast of CEB Tariff - Unit Charge 
Past Records and Forecast of CEB Tariff- kY A Charge 
Past Records and Future Forecast of US$ vs. SL Rs Fluctuation 
Past Records and Future Forecast of the fluctuation of the Price of 
Diesel Fuel 
Past Records and Future Forecast of the Fluctuation of the Price of 
" 
·Heavy Oil Fuel ~ 
Past Records and Future Forecast of Generation of Electricity by 
Standby Diesel Generators 
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List of Tables: 
Table 2.1.1 
Table 2.1.2 
Table 2.1.3 
Table 2.1.4 
Table 2.1.5 
Table 3.1 
Table 4.1 
Table4.2 
Table4.3 
Table 4.4 
Table 4.5 
Table 4.6 
Table 6.2.1 
Table 6.2.2 
Table 6.2.3 
2007 
Table 6.2.4.1 
Table 6.2.4.2 
Table 6.2.5a 
Table 6.2.5b 
Table 6.2.5c 
Table 6.2.6a 
Table 6.2.6b 
Table 6.2. 7a 
Table 6.2.7b 
Table 6.2.8a 
Table 6.2.8b 
Table 6.2.9a 
Table 6.2.8b 
Table 6.2.9a 
Table 6.2.9b 
The Power Demand Calculation of Container Terminals 
The Calculation of the Power Demand for lllumination of Container 
Terminals and Roads 
The Power Demand Calculation of Support Services in the Port of 
Colombo 
The Power Demand of Organilations Inside the Port of Colombo 
Total Electricity Demand of the Port of Colombo 
Present Electricity Consumption of the Port of Colombo 
Container Throughput at the Port of Colombo for the Period 1995 to 
2004 
Electricity Tariff of Ceylon Electricity Board 
Sri Lankan Rupees Fluctuation Against US $ . 
Wholesale Price of Diesel Fuel )' 
Wholesale Price of Heavy Oil Fuel 
Generation of Electricity (kWhNear) by Standby Diesel Generators of 
Sri Lanka Ports Authority due to CEB Outages 
Forecast of Container Throughput at the Port of Colombo for the 
Period of2006 to 2020 
Forecast ofElectricity Consumption for the Period of2006 to 2020 
Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) Required for Year 2006 and 
Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) to be Added with Colombo 
South Harbour Terminal! -Year 2008 
Capacity of Electricity Supply (kVA) to be Added with the Colombo 
South Harbour Tenninal2 - Year 20 16 
CEB Tariff increased During Last Ten Years 
CEB TariffForecast on Past Ten Years Records 
CEB Tariff Forecast on Past Five Years Records 
US$ vs. SL Rs Fluctuation During Last Fifteen Years 
Future Forecast ofUS$ vs. SL Rs Fluctuat{.oo for the Period 2006 to 
2020 
Fluctuation of Price of Diesel Fuel During Last Ten Years 
Fluctuation of Price of Diesel Fuel for the Period 2006 to 2020 
Fluctuation of Price of Heavy Oil Fuel During Last Ten Years ,.,.. • 
Future Forecast of the Price of Heavy Oil Fuel for the Period 2006 to 
2020 
Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel Generators due to Q.iB-
Outages During Last Five Years .. :.. 
Future Forecast of the Price of Heavy Oil Fuel for the Perfod 2006 .to 
2020 
Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel Generators due to CEB 
Outages During Last Five Years 
Forecast of Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel Generators due 
to CEB Outages for the Period 2006 to 2020 
Vlll 
Table 7.1 
Table 7.2a 
Table 7.2b 
Table 7.3a 
Table 7.3b 
Table 7.4a 
Table 7.4b 
Table 7.5.1 
Table 7.5.2 
Table 7.5.3 
Table 7.5.4 
Table 8.1 
Table 8.2 
Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity for the Period 2006 to 
2020 
Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants for the Period 2006 to2020 
A Summery of Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity 
Using Diesel Generating Plants for the Period 2006 to2020 
Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy Oil 
Fuel Generating Plant for the Period 2006 to 2020 
A Summary of Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity 
Using Heavy Oil Fuel Generating Plant for the Period 2006 to 2020 
Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel 
Generators During CEB outages 
A Summary of Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby 
Diesel Generators During CEB Outages 
Cost Estimate for the Purchase of Electricity Without Considering Sri 
Lankan Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB TariffV<Uiation and Fuel Cost 
Variation 
Cost Estimate for Generation of Electricity by Standby Diesel 
Generators due to CEB Outages Without Considering Rupee Value 
Fluctuation, CEB Tariff Variation and Fuel Price Variation 
Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Diesel 
Generating Plants Without Considering Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB 
Tariff Variation and Fuel Price Variation 
Cost Estimate for the Self Generation of Electricity Using Heavy Oil 
Fuel Generating Plants Without Considering Rupee Value Fluctuation, 
CEB TariffVariation and Fuel Price Variation 
Total Cost for the Electricity for the Period of 2006 to 2020 
Total Cost for the Electricity for the Period of2006 to 2020 Without 
Considering Sri Lankan Rupee Value Fluctuation, CEB Tariff 
Variation and Fuel Cost Variation 
IX 
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