Uninformed power cut to manage system stability: CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has submitted an investigation report to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) citing that the reason for them to carry out uninformed power cut on February 3, 2020 was to manage the system stability.

The PUCSL said the report was submitted as per the request made by PUCSL, as carrying out a planned interruption to power supply other than unplanned power cut without the approval of the PUCSL is an offence under the provision of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009 (as amended).

Meanwhile, the CEB said the report was prepared and submitted to inform the Commission that Island-wide rotational manual load shedding done between 10.45 hrs to 17.02 hrs on February 3, 2020 was an unplanned occurrence, however decided by the Licensee instantly in view of managing the system stability as well as the demand in very optimistic way against the reasons beyond Licensee's control.

“In addition, we wish to emphasize that the interruptions to fuel supply by CPC has become a routine issue resulting from CEB's inability to meet is financial obligations to independent power producers,” it said.

It further said if the CEB was unable to ensure operation of these plants when one or more of its major thermal plants were unavailable, there was a possibility of repeating the similar scenario.

“We have urged repeatedly that the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Government to address this serious issue of facing power supply in the country. However, we are yet to receive a lasting solution to the crisis situation which the CEB is facing,” it added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)