Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that while two of the power generators at the Norochcholai Coal Power plant would be taken out of the national grid in turns for maintenance operations, there will be no increase in power cut durations.
The Norochcholai power plant will operate at a reduced capacity from 12 midnight today (17) due to two of the generators having to undergo routine maintenance. Engineer Eranga Kudahewa said the plant would have to be shut down for 75 days.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday Minister Wijesekera said, “This maintenance was scheduled over the past two years but due to Covid restrictions in China getting the spare parts and engineers was delayed. However, we expect to shut down one generator of 300 MW on the 18th and once that is done, we will shut down the other generator for repairs. This will take around 70 days.”
Referring to statements made by the Ceylon Electrical Engineers warning that the power cuts could be further extended due to the Norochcholai power plant being shut down, the Minister said that according to the information given to him, the power cuts could be managed without extensions with the available hydro and renewable energy sources.
“People need not panic as if the need arises we could utilize diesel for power generation. During the recent past we have only used around 4.1% furnace oil for power generation as the majority was through hydro and renewable energy. However, the public must use electricity sparingly as we need to conserve electricity under the current situation.”
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