One power crisis after another
Electricity consumers islandwide hit by 3-hour cuts, the breakdown of a key supply source , and an Electricity Board strike. Nadia Fazlulhaq reports
The 300-megawatt (MW) Norochcholai Power Station in Puttalam broke down last week for technical reasons, making this the sixth time the power plant has stalled since the coal power plant started operating last year.
This time the problem was saline deposits on the Norochcholai-Veyangoda transmission line, according to the Ministry of Power and Energy.
The breakdown forced the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to enforce power cuts of three-and-a-quarter hours per day. The power cuts will continue till August 27. According to the board, electricity usage peaks between 7 pm and 8 pm.
At present, the country’s electricity consumption is around 2000 mw. Total electricity generation capacity is 3300 mw, with a surplus of 1300 mw. The CEB-owned hy- dropower plants generate 1300 mw, while private sector hydropower plants contribute 200 mw.
“At present, hydropower accounts for only 300 mw of power, with zero input from the private sector,” energy expert Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya explained to the Sunday Times. “We have used up what surplus we had. To meet the 7 pm to 8 pm demand, we get 1700 mw from non-hydro sources – fuel and coal, and 300 mw from hydro.”
If the 7 pm power cut is to end, the Electricity Board will have to conserve hydropower and use non-hydro power generation, such as from fuel and coal.
“With the coal power plant non-functioning, we are losing 300 mw, and the Electricity Board is compelled to turn to thermal power, which is costly,” Dr. Siyambalapitiya said, adding that it may take more than three weeks to fix the breakdown. A few technical problems are to be expected in the first six to nine months of the Norochcholai power plant being in operation, he said.
“Power plants become fully operational in the second year, and can be expected to function stably for the next 13 years. A coal power plant can operate 330 days a year, with 35 days for plant maintenance,” Dr. Siyambalapitiya said. “This plant is experiencing serious technical problems. This is an unexpected breakdown.”
The coal power plant is the most cost-effective of the power generators, and should be kept running.
“It is tragedy to stall the least expensive plant for so many days. The problem should be thoroughly investigated and the Government should demand an explana- tion from the Chinese Government, which nominated the contractor to build the plant,” he said.
Monsoon failure and drought conditions have brought down reservoir storage capacity to 18.9 per cent.
Electricity Board vicechairman Anura Wijeyapala told the Sunday Times that a team of seven engineers from China arrived in the country on Friday to examine the Norochcholai coal power plant. “Turbine malfunction is a cause and needs immediate repair. But we have to give time for the machinery to cool down to begin repairs. It will take at least two weeks to get it fixed,” he said.
According to Mr. Wijeyapala, the Chinese contractor, the Chinese Machinery and Engineering Co-operation (CMEC), has apologised for the inconvenience caused to the country. The company’s vice-president is in the country to oversee the repairs. “Once the Norochcholai plant starts functioning, the power cuts won’t be necessary,” Mr. Wijeyapala said.
The Norochcholai Power Station, also known as the Lak Vijaya Power Station, was built by the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) with a US$ 450 million loan from China’s EXIM Bank.
This year, the Government had to pay out Rs.168 million to get the plant operating again after a breakdown in January.
At this week’s Cabinet briefing, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Norochcholai Power Station was undergoing a trial period, and therefore “no financial losses were incurred.”