• PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake says sources of power generation getting stabilised
• Unit III of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, Sojitz Kelanitissa power plants to resume generation from tomorrow
• Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery receives crude oil, work starts to fuel 500 MW power plants
• Commission to finalise on 3,000 MW private and State-owned backup generator use by month end

As opposed to intermittent announcements, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) yesterday said there will be no load shedding, implying sources of power generation getting stabilised.

“Based on the daily reviews of the power plants and sources of generation, the Commission decided not to impose any load shedding till further notice,” PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

Accordingly, the Unit III of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, the 130 MW Sojitz Kelanitissa power plants that were recently disconnected from the national grid for maintenance purposes, will resume generation from tomorrow (2).

Rathnayake also revealed that the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery has received a shipment of crude oil and has already started the process of refining the fuel required for the power plants.

“Power plants such as Sapugaskanda, Colombo Port Barge, West Coast and Uthuru Janani which have the generation capacity of around 500 MW require fossil fuel. We expect that the resumption of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery which produces 20% furnace oil and regular supply of fuel will enable it to maintain uninterrupted power generation,” he said, assuring that there would be no load shedding till the GCE Advanced Level Examinations are over.

In addition, the PUCSL Chairman said that he hopes to reach a final decision on the effective use of 3,000 MW backup power generators owned by various State and private organisations by the end of this month.

“A methodology will be soon introduced to supply power efficiently by connecting such generators to the national grid. We have already had discussions with owners of 100 MW so far and they have responded positively to our proposal. Deliberations with such groups are scheduled throughout this week as well and we hope to reach a final decision on the initiative before the end of the month,” he explained.

The short-term proposals include reducing the demand for electricity through an accelerated power conservation program with the support of electricity consumers. 

 

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