3-hour power cuts are back

• Authorities fail to live up to assurance of shorter interruptions till Jan. 2023

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday announced the approval for three-hour power cuts till 19 August, contrary to its forecast of managing supply till January 2023.

“The daily power cut will be extended to three hours from 16 to 19 August,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said yesterday.

Yesterday’s announcement came in shock to most electricity users, as the regulator last week assured the supply coil be managed with less than three-hour power cuts, considering the generation mix availability till January 2023.

Many industries including major foreign exchange earning sectors such as exports and tourism, condemned the decision to increase electricity tariffs amidst the worst economic crisis and without uninterrupted supply. 

“As per the power cut schedule, groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W will experience a power cut for one-hour and 40 minutes during daytime and a power cut for one-hour and 20 minutes in the night. Group CC will experience a power cut for two-hours and 30 minutes from 6.00 a.m. to 8.30 a.m., whilst groups M, N, O, X, Y, and Z will experience a power cut for three-hours from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.,” he added. 

Separately, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera announced that there has been a breakdown in the Unit-I of Norochcholai Power Plant yesterday.

“Technical staff is working to identify the fault. Unit-II is undergoing scheduled maintenance work. Unit-III will continue to operate. West Coast and other fuel power plants will be used to manage the supply,” Wijesekera opined via Twitter.