Countrywide power failure a repeated mistake?

He also noted that Norochcholai Coal Power Plant experienced a breakdown due a technical issue at the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant

These civilians were anticipating that the power would be restored soon

He stated that the CEB had also formed a committee to probe the matter seriously as there had been three power failures countrywide in 2015 and 2016

The official also noted that the commission had observed certain shortcoming related to the countrywide power cut on September 27, 2015

He said that a proper investigation needs to be done to ensure the prevention of similar outages in future

In a recent media talk show, National People’s Power (NPP) member Sunil Handunnetti warned the people of a possible price increase in electricity in the coming weeks

The island-wide power cut which occurred on August 17 at 12.45 am and continued for 8 hours has disrupted economic activity and day to day lives of people in different sectors. Though power was restored in the night around 8.15pm, on the same day, short power cuts across the island still continued in attempts made to deal with the electricity system failure. Power was restored in Colombo after seven hours, but not in some parts of the island. It was the worst disruption since March 2016, when the whole country was without electricity for more than eight hours following a massive system breakdown. In this backdrop, the Daily Mirror reached some officials to assess the prevailing matter and reveal  truths behind the country-wide power failure. 

“When the main-power plants experienced huge losses in their megawatt capacity, the other power plants would cut off due to the inability to meet the demand”     CEB Chairman Vijitha Herath

Speaking to the Daily Mirror CEB Chairman Vijitha Herath said that the power failure was unprecedented and was mainly caused due to an unspecified technical issue at the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant, which generates 300 MW electricity. “The disruption was triggered by a failure in the transmission system at the Kerawalapitiya Grid-Substation,” said Herath. 

He also noted that Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, which generates 900 MW electricity, experienced a breakdown due a technical issue at the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant. “The power generation of the Norochcholai Power Plant (900 MW) and Kerawalapitiya Power Plant (300 MW) are transmitted to the national grid through the Kerawalapitiya grid substation. When the main-power plants experienced huge losses in their megawatt capacity, the other power plants would cut off due to the inability to meet the demand,” the CEB Chairman said. He also noted that the daily power cuts would not continue with after Friday (21).  He stated that the daily power cuts were imposed based on a schedule due to the shutdown of the Norochcholai Power Plant. Referring to the reports that were to be submitted to the  minister of power, he said the reports prepared by the Committees appointed to probe the country-wide power outage on Monday (17) would be submitted to him and the Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma within the next week. However, the CEB expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to the public due to the power outage.

Ministry of power Media Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardene said, “A committee has been formed by the subject minister Dullas Alahapperuma to unearth the reasons behind the power failure. An initial investigation report by the CEB, regarding the power failure, has to be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanak(PUCSL) following an official request made by the PUCSL,” said Jayawardene.  

He stated that the CEB had also formed a committee to probe the matter seriously as there had been three power failures countrywide in 2015 and 2016. He also noted that 50% of the country’s power requirement was served through the Kerawalapitiya Power Grid.  He said that after the sudden collapse, the operation of all power plants in the country had come to a standstill. “Those power plants have to be switched on one by one to connect them to the main grid and the CEB is working to restore power,” he said. According to him the CEB took eight hours to restore the power supply on that occasion. He said that a proper investigation needs to be done to ensure the prevention of similar outages in future.  He also noted that it took at least four days to restore the power supply entirely.  

“A committee has been formed by the subject minister Dullas Alahapperuma to unearth the reasons behind the power failure. An initial investigation report has to be submitted”     Media Spokesman Sulakshana Jayawardene

Commenting on the power failure, Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said, “This power failure may be due to human error, a technical issue or a natural cause, but this affected the general public adversely; especially those who had weddings, funerals, other functions and the ones who need electricity to operate their businesses. These civilians were anticipating that the power would be restored soon.  Instead of forming committees to probe into the matters, the CEB and governmental authorities should form comprehensive strategies to prevent total power cuts in the future.

“This power failure may be due to human error, a technical issue or a natural cause, but this affected the general public adversely; especially those who had weddings, funerals, other functions Union General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal

During the previous countrywide power failure, the PUCSL suggested recommendations to prevent such instances in future, according to a  PUCSL official. “ We have still not received the initial report from the CEB, that was due last Thursday (20) . The official also said that the PUCSL was to inspect the Kerawalapitiya Grid Substation and the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant yesterday (21) as part of its investigation related to the island-wide power interruption on Monday. Further, the PUCSL has officially requested the CEB to submit a detailed investigation report on the power failure and the actions taken to avoid similar failures in future, on or before September 17, 2020. The official also noted that the commission had observed certain shortcoming related to the countrywide power cut on September 27, 2015. “The CEB is well informed officially on the shortcomings also” the PUCSL official said. 

The official also noted three instances where there were countrywide power failures between the period 2015-2016. The PUCSL had suggested a set of recommendations officially.

Ensuring that all major generating stations have their generator exciters on AVR control and that the reactive power limits of the generators are not curtailed.

“The electricity units are purchased at a higher price.  This is what happens all the time.  Though Sri Lanka has a power generation method, it is disregarded” (NPP) member Sunil Handunnetti

System control centre shall use all available reactors (or capacitors) to maintain system voltage at +-5%
As an interim measure use ‘transformer tap staggering’ to improve voltage control during low load period
Specify a few ‘must run’ generator units for voltage support(outside merit order)
According to the official, in 2016 the PUCSL has directed the CEB to design long- term measures to avoid 
system failures.

In a recent media talk show, National People’s Power (NPP) member Sunil Handunnetti warned the people of a possible price increase in electricity in the coming weeks.  He said that it took a few days to restore the Norochcholai Power Plant. “Amid this power issue in the country, a method to purchase electricity from private companies is being formed,” he added.  “The electricity units are purchased at a higher price.  This is what happens all the time.  Though Sri Lanka has a power generation method, it is disregarded,” he emphasised. He also noted that the CEB cannot purchase electricity sans the approval of the PUCSL. “If the subject minister Dallas Alahapperuma could get hold of those who declare a state emergency, the mafia behind this power crisis can be disclosed. In our country, we have oil mafia, medicinal drug mafia, arms mafia and the electricity mafia,” he said.