Fire temporarily shuts down Norochcholai plant

A fire erupted at the coal power plant in Norochcholai in the North Western Province early last morning, forcing the authorities to shut down the plant temporarily.

The Power and Energy Ministry officials said the closure was a precautionary measure to prevent any damages to the plant and that the power supply would be restored soon. There were no major damages to the plant, they said.

The fire had broken out in one of the coal crushing machines at the 300 megawatt Lakwijaya power plant.

Fires broke out in October 2010 and in August 2011 as well in the premises of the island’s first coal power plant.

The plant was shut down for 10 days in September for a performance test and the other routine service needs.

(www.colombopage.com)