PUCSL demands CEB report on power interruptions

• Power regulator asks for explanation following complaints 
• CEB must get prior approval from PUCSL for power cuts

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has directed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to submit a report on power interruptions reported on Monday that were made without prior approval from the commission.

According to a statement issued by the PUCSL yesterday, the inquiry into the matter was made following several complaints from areas such as Wattala, Ja-Ela, Kandana, Kelaniya, Maharagama, Boralesgamuwa, Nugegoda, Mirihana and Hikkaduwa of power interruptions that lasted for two to two and a half hours.

As per the Electricity Transmission and Bulk Supply Licence, the CEB is required to obtain prior approval from the PUCSL for all scheduled interruptions, unless they are due to maintenance, whereby prior notice has to be given to the public. Section 10 of Condition 30 of the licence states that the CEB is required to submit a report to the PUCSL on any unplanned interruptions within a month of the incident or within a period approved by the commission.

A statement issued by the Power and Energy Ministry yesterday attributed the power interruptions to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s decision to discontinue the supply of fuel to the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant on Monday because the CEB had exceeded its credit limit.

Due to the inability to generate power at the plant, the CEB had then decided to interrupt power supply for two hours.

However, through a Cabinet directive, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera had advised the CPC to continue its supply of fuel to the CEB, thus ensuring no unexpected power interruptions took place.