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CEB not trying to plug the gap

21 Aug 2022

  • LVPP unit 1 breakdown to be fixed in about 8 days
  • National grid 540 MW short due to coal plant breakdowns
  • Hydropower saves the day again
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa   The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday (20) stressed that it was not incurring an additional cost to generate electricity to fill the gap of nearly 300 MW following the breakdown of unit 1 of Lakvijaya Power Plant (LVPP) in Norochcholai, as a three-hour long power cut is now in effect with the approval of the regulator. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, CEB Additional General Manager (Generation) Andrew Nawamuni said there was no additional diesel power-generated electricity added to the national grid to meet the shortage arising from the breakdown of unit 1. According to CEB statistics, the Independent Power Producers (IPP) and the CEB’s thermal oil contribution to the national grid was around 15.1% and 10.5% respectively before the breakdown at Norochcholai. Nawamuni confirmed that the contribution from IPP and CEB thermal oil before the breakdown was the same as the current contribution and there had been no increase. “CEB is operating furnace oil power plants and we have enough stocks at present. The CEB will be getting France Oil from the recently-unloaded crude oil also,” he said. Last week the CEB decided to extend the daily power cuts, citing a malfunction in unit 1 of the Norochcholai Power Plant. The CEB said it would take approximately eight days to inspect the malfunctioning generator. The Norochcholai Coal Power Plant comprises three generators and each generates 300 MW, with a total output of 900 MW. When unit 1 malfunctioned on 15 August, unit 2 was already out of service for essential maintenance. Therefore, the national grid is short of 540 MW from the Norochcholai Power Plant. As per CEB statistics, nearly 50% of the total electricity demand is currently being generated from hydropower.   BOX ‘No additional costs for repairs’   The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that it is not incurring an additional cost for the repairing of unit 1 of the Lakvijaya Power Plant, with repairs currently being carried out by those engaged in repairs of unit 2. CEB Spokesperson Andrew Nawamuni said the unit had experienced a sudden breakdown as it had not been subjected to timely repairs. Unit 1 was to undergo maintenance following the completion of unit 2 and 3 maintenance. Currently, unit 2 is undergoing a major overhaul which is expected to be completed next month.


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