PUCSL flashes warning lights

By Chathuri Dissanayake 

Forecasting a rather dim power supply for the first four months of the coming year, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUSL) yesterday outlined a number of recommendations to be implemented by the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry to avoid a looming power shortage. 

According to the PUCSL, forecast limitations in hydropower generation - less that 500 Gwh - due to prevailing weather conditions have been compounded by several thermal power plants running under capacity due to technical issues. 

“The report looked at the next four months and if there is a non-availability of any two plants generating 270 MWh then we will not be able to meet the demand. Already one turbine is not working in Norochcholai and if we lose one more plant either in Norochcholai, Kerawalapitiya or Kelanitissa, we will face a shortage in supply in the coming months,” PUCSL Director General Damitha Kumarasinghe told the Daily FT. 

The third generation plant in Norochcholai did not resume generation after the plant experienced a complete breakdown in early October this year. Two of the three plants were repaired within a month, but despite ambitious plans by the ministry to restart the third plant, which sustained the most damage during the latest shutdown, the engineers have been unable to complete repair work to date. However, Kumarasinghe said that the plant would likely be working at full capacity from the second week of January. 

However, two other thermal plants will undergo scheduled repairs during the coming months which will force the plants to run below capacity. 

Oil supply to both the Yugadanavi (Kerawalapitiya) fuel oil power plant, generating 270 MW, and Kelanitissa oil power plant, generating 163 MW, are running below capacity due to limitations in the fuel supply, the report notes while highlighting that both plants are scheduled to undergo repairs during the three months, making them unavailable for power generation for a few weeks on separate occasions.  

Citing the report, the PUCSL recommends the full utilisation of available thermal plants, self-generation by captive generators to reduce demand, the addition of new generation plants and an increase in contribution from rooftop solar generation in order to avoid power shortages.  

“We have recommended that the CEB ensure that Norochcholai is running at an optimum capacity and to ensure that the solar power program is working well. The CEB can do a lot to expedite the process of connecting private generators to the grid. They should also take lead and promote solar power. When consumers put up their panels they should connect those immediately,” Kumarasinghe said.  

Kumarasinghe also appreciated the CEB proposal to pay private generators for the power to deal with the crisis, while also highlighting that the responsible authorities should take action to expedite connecting all the renewable plants such as mini hydropower plants to the grid immediately.