Kelanitissa resumes power generation

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the operations at the Kelanitissa power plant have resumed. 

The CEB says that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had taken the necessary steps to provide the required diesel and furnace oil for the operations of the Kelanitssa Power Plant.

Repairs have begun on Generator 3 at the Norocholai Power plant following the breakdown that took place on 27th September, and the CEB says that it will be added to the main grid by next Monday (3).

On the 27th of September 2022, Sri Lanka's energy regulator approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on that day that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.

This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.

The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.

Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.

Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant.

The Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant has also recommenced its operations to generate electricity after being provided with the necessary stocks of furnace oil.

The Ministry of Power and Energy said that 300 MW of electricity will be added to the National Grid.

It added that the reactivation of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant will allow authorities to limit power cuts to two hours and twenty minutes without extending them, despite issues at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.