Norochcholai Unit 3 breaks down: Minister assures no power cuts

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Unit 3 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has experienced a breakdown, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.   He said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed him about the breakdown. Accordingly, the national grid will lose 270 MW of power.   

However, he said there will be no power cuts due to the breakdown.   

“Unit 3 was due to undergo a maintenance overhaul in April. To ensure an uninterrupted power supply, CEB owned Diesel and Fuel Oil Power plants will be used,” the minister said.   
The Norochcholai coal power plant has been facing frequent breakdowns since it was commissioned in 2011.   

In the latest breakdown, the first generator at the power plant was shut down on December 23, last year to manage coal stocks and for maintenance purposes.   
However, it has been added to the National Grid in January this year.