Electricity – Artifex.News

Sri Lanka raises electricity tariffs, issues strict energy conserving guidelines

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 07:12:00 +0000

Image used for representational purposes. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Sri Lanka has decided to increase electricity prices with effect from April 1, the power authorities said.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman K.P.L. Chandralal said on Monday (March 30, 2026) that the state power entity, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), had asked for an over 13.5% hike across different usage blocks based on the units consumed.

“However, considering problems faced by all sectors, households and industries would be subject to only an 8.5% increase,” Mr. Chandralal said.

The tariff revision proposal submitted by CEB was analysed by the PUCSL, and after public consultations, the commission decided to increase the tariffs, he said.

The tariff hike means that those consuming over 180 units would see a 25% increase.

If the fuel prices rise significantly, and CEB costs increase by over 15%, the utility can make a new submission, he said. “In that event, we are prepared to consider such a proposal.” Issuing guidelines to conserve energy in the state sector, the Commissioner General of Essential Services said that by 3 p.m., all air conditioners must be switched off at all state institutions.

All advertising hoardings illuminated must be switched off by 8 p.m. All local councils must take action to switch off street lights between 6-10 pm and the national grid supply must not be used to power functions participated by more than 100 people.

Earlier this month, fuel rationing system based on a QR code was introduced after weeks of long queues at petrol retailers.

The government said it was working with Russia to obtain crude in view of the current supply chain difficulties due to the war in the West Asia.

The Tourism Authority announced on Monday (March 30, 2026) that tourist arrivals had dropped by over 18% by 25 March year on year, a direct fallout from the West Asia war.

Published – March 31, 2026 12:37 pm IST

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Shocking science: What causes static electricity?

admin — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:49:00 +0000

Static electricity with hair and a balloon.
| Photo Credit: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

To put it simply, static electricity is the small buildup of electrical charge on the surface of an object. It occurs when materials rub against each other and the friction often comes with a transfer of electrons, leading to an imbalance of charges. But let’s read a little more into it.

How it happens

We are all made of atoms, and so are a lot of the things around us. And in turn, atoms are made of protons, electrons, and neutrons. Rubbing any two objects together (like socks on a carpet, or a balloon on your hair) causes electrons to move from one surface to the other. In this manner, one object becomes positively charged, while the other, negatively charged.

Now, the secret behind the shock? Well, the human body conducts electricity just as well as metal does, and when a charged object comes in contact, the charge suddenly shifts to the other object to balance itself. This quick movement creates a tiny spark. We can see a lot of examples of this in our daily lives — from clothes clinging to each other during friction, to sparks when touching a doorknob after walking on a carpet.

A necessary nuisance

Static electricity isn’t so much a pain in the neck — that is once you hear how useful it can be. Without it, we can’t get our photocopiers or printers to work. Static charge attracts toner (powdered ink) or ink to create images and documents.

Air filters and dust removers also rely on static electricity. The dust particles are given an electric charge and then attracted to surfaces with an opposing charge, effectively trapping them.

And yes, the textile industry also needs static electricity. It can help fibres stick to each other during spinning, improve the efficiency of weaving operations, and enhance the application of finishing chemicals to fabrics.

Of course, when you do need to avoid it, here are some things you need to do. Wear more natural fibres like cotton. Keep your skin hydrated with moisturiser. This will prevent any friction. You can also go for fabric softeners on your clothes.

Static electricity may feel like a tiny shock, or a cute magic trick. But it’s just science in action. The next time you feel a spark on touching a doorknob, know that even the smallest particles can do something really powerful.

Published – December 09, 2025 12:19 pm IST

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Budget 2025: FM opens up Nuclear power sector to private players and incentivises distribution reforms

admin — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 06:32:40 +0000

Currently, four VVER 1,000-MWe reactors are being built at the KKNPP site.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Boosting state’s power distribution and opening the nuclear power sector was announced by Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her eighth Budget speech on Saturday (February 1, 2025). She announced incentivisation of distribution reforms to help the financial state of distribution companies. Amendments to nuclear-related Acts will also taken up by the Centre soon, she said.

“Incentivise electricity distribution reforms and augment intra-state capacity. This will help financial state of distribution companies. An addition of 0.05% of GSDP will be allowed to states contingent on these reforms,” she said.

Also read:Union Budget 2025 LIVE updates

She also announced the Nuclear Mission for Viksit Bharat in which 100 GW of nuclear power generation by 2047 is ‘essential for power transition efforts’. For active private participation in this the Centre plans to amend the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil liability for the Nuclear damage Act.

Furthermore, she added that an outlay of ₹20,000 crores will be given for research and development for small modular reactors. Atleast five such indigenously designed reactors will be operationalised by 2033, she said.

Union Budget 2025

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting her eight consecutive budget speech this year. She highlighted that this budget would be aimed to accelerate growth, secure inclusive development, invigorate private investment, uplift household sentiments and enhance power of India’s rising middle class. The main areas of focus among citizens for this budget are the poor, youth, farmers and women.

“Our economy is the fastest-growing among all major global economies. Our development track record of the past 10 years and structural reforms have drawn global attention. Confidence in India’s capability and potential has only grown in this period”, said Ms. Sitharaman.

As she began her speech, the Opposition rose in uproar over President Droupadi Murmu’s address on Friday (January 31, 2025). They also walked out, but returned to the House shortly.

Published – February 01, 2025 12:02 pm IST

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Iraq To Import Electricity From Turkey

admin — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 09:43:46 +0000

Baghdad, Iraq:

Iraq said Sunday a new power line will bring electricity from Turkey to its northern provinces as authorities aim to diversify the country’s energy sources to ease chronic power outages.

The 115-kilometre line connects to Kisik power plant west of Mosul and will provide 300 megawatts from Turkey to Iraq’s northern provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din and Kirkuk, according to a statement by the prime minister’s office.

PM Mohamed Shia al-Sudani said the new line is a “strategic” step to link Iraq with neighbouring countries.

“The line started operating today,” Ahmed Moussa, spokesperson for the electricity ministry, told AFP.

Decades of war have left Iraq’s infrastructure in a pitiful state, with power cuts worsening the blistering summer when temperatures often reach 50 Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

Many households have just a few hours of mains electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to keep fridges and air conditioners running.

Despite its vast oil reserves, Iraq remains dependent on imports to meet its energy needs, especially from neighbouring Iran, which regularly cuts supplies.

Sudani has repeatedly stressed the need for Iraq to diversify energy sources to ease the chronic outages.

To reduce its dependence on Iranian gas, Baghdad has been exploring several possibilities including imports from Gulf countries.

In March, a 340-kilometre (210-mile) power line started operating to bring electricity from Jordan to Al-Rutbah in Iraq’s southwest.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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