unscheduled Power cuts?

By Chathuranga Samarawikrama and Sheain Fernandopulle 

While stressing that the technical issue in the unit 2 generator of the Norochcholai coal power plant has been fully restored, Power and Energy Ministry Media Spokesman and Development Director Sulakshana Jayawardena said power outages could still be experienced due to the prevailing dry weather conditions.   

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said the technical issue occurred in the unit 2 generator at the Norochcholai coal power plant had nothing to do with the prevailing power outages. However, several areas experienced continuous power outages on Monday and Tuesday after the unit 2 generator shut down due to a technical mishap on Monday (18).  
He said unscheduled power outages could be experienced in some areas because of the insufficiency of electricity supply from hydro power plants which had a total capacity of 10,390 MW.  

“We can provide electricity only through the thermal power plants because there are restrictions in the hydro power plants due to the dry weather conditions,” Mr. Jayawardena said.  
He said the thermal power plants consisted of coal plants, oil power plants, and private power plants which had installed capacities of 900 MW, 600 MW and 600 MW respectively.  
 “Water capacities in the Hydro Power Complex like Castlereigh reservoir (9%) Maussakele reservoir (34%) cannot be freely used because we have to think of providing drinking water too,” he said.  

“Water capacities in Kotmale, Victoria, Randenigala and Samanala Wawa reservoirs stand at 34%, 36%, 88%, 18 % respectively. However, we can’t use the Randenigala water capacity because we have to preserve water for the upcoming agricultural work (Yala Season),” Mr. Jayawardena said.  “We are trying to minimize the shortages and this is a short term issue,” he said.   

He proceeded to say that after the Inter-monsoon Season in April, this issue would be rectified.   

He highlighted that the ministry had not planned any power cut schedules yet.