Opposition Leader slams Govt. over power crisis

Tuesday, 11 February 2025 01:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday launched a sharp critique of the Government’s handling of the power sector.

In a post on ‘X’, Premadasa accused authorities of deflecting blame while failing to address the country’s fragile electricity grid, which, he claims, is ill-equipped to handle the rise of solar energy and fluctuations in demand.

“First, they blamed the monkeys. Then, they blamed past Governments. But the real issue? A fragile grid that cannot handle solar growth and low-demand periods. Misinformation will not fix power outages – serious reforms will, especially in the power sector. A real system change starts with transparency,” he wrote.

Premadasa’s remarks highlight growing concerns over the country’s ability to integrate renewable energy into its outdated grid infrastructure.

To reinforce his argument, he shared a letter from the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Deputy General Manager (System Control) from November 2024, which outlined the instability caused by increased rooftop solar installations and low system inertia – particularly during weekends and holidays.

The document underscores a fundamental challenge: while the Government has promoted solar power as part of its broader energy transition, the grid has struggled to accommodate the fluctuating nature of renewable energy.

Critics argue that without significant upgrades to storage and grid management systems, Sri Lanka’s push for sustainability could be undermined by technical constraints.

Premadasa’s criticism comes at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with countrywide power disruptions following the recent shutdown of the Norochcholai coal power plant. The CEB has announced that the plant will not return to full capacity until Friday, extending the scheduled blackouts affecting households and businesses across the country.

The crisis has deepened political tensions, with Opposition figures seizing the moment to demand greater accountability. The Government, for its part, has blamed various factors – including legacy issues from previous administrations – for the grid’s shortcomings.

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