Norochcholai unit returns to grid ending daily power cuts

Saturday, 15 February 2025 01:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Power Ministry and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) announced that there will be no daily power cuts from yesterday (14) following the addition of one unit from the Norochcholai Power Plant to the national grid.

One of the three generators of the 900 MW coal power plants has now been successfully reconnected to the national grid, supplying 300 MW of electricity, after a countrywide six-hour power blackout last Sunday. The country’s fragile electricity grid remains under strain following the countrywide blackout on Sunday, with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) confirming that the troubled Norochcholai coal power plant will not be reconnected to the grid till Friday (14).

CEB Media Spokesman Dhammike Wimalaratne said with one generator successfully connected to the grid from yesterday, demand management measures will no longer be necessary.

The CEB last Monday implemented a scheduled power management plan under four listed groups, for one and a half hours between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. amid the temporary loss of Norochcholai’s capacity.

The move exacerbated frustration among millions of electricity users, raising concerns over the stability of the country’s energy supply.