Power cuts likely from tomorrow: CEBEU

Being unable to provide 180 MW of electricity to the national grid and the furnace oil has been consumed in many power plants, power cuts would come into effect from tomorrow, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers' Union (CEBEU) said.

CEBEU Committee member Eranga Kudahewa said power cuts would be effective from tomorrow night (24) for a very short time, for about one and half hours on Tuesday (25).

On Saturday (22) hydropower generation fell to 25% of total electricity demand. The supply of coal, diesel and fuel has increased by 72%, they said.

The Sapugaskanda power plant, which generates 180 MW has been completely shut down due to the depletion of furnace fuel required for operation, the union said.

The CEBEU claimed that the Northern Janani Power Plant, with a capacity of 24 MW is also running out of furnace oil and diesel, according to the Electrical Engineers Association.

The fuel required for the Yugadanavi Power Station has to be imported due to the high sphere quantity contained in the fuel purified at the Sapugaskanda refinery, the union said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)