Nearly one-hour disruptions to the power supply are possible this evening (February 01) between 6.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m., says the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

According to the spokesperson for the CEB, power cuts are expected due to the high demand for electricity during peak hours.

The reason was load shedding, which means an automatic interruption to power if and when the demand exceeds the supply. Scheduled power cuts, on the other hand, means planned interruptions to power, based on the estimated demand and supply.

Meanwhile, the third generator at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, which was recently added to the national grid following repairs, was deactivated again today. The CEB stated that the national grid would lose 270 MW of power as a result.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake stated that steps have been taken to add the generator to the national grid by midnight today after finishing its maintenance work by 4 p.m.

“This is temporary situation due to maintenance work, not a breakdown,” he added.

Meanwhile, the privately-owned Sojitz Kelanitissa Power Station in Colombo will be added to the national grid during the early hours of February 04, the PUCSL chairman said further.

Until the said power plants are added to the national grid, the CEB has requested permission from the PUCSL for scheduled power cuts today, in order to manage the supply of power during peak hours, but the electricity sector regulator denied the request.

The CEB has stated that they can manage the demand and supply [of electricity] during day time, which is almost around 2,000 MW, however in the 9th peak hour, they are expecting a shortage of nearly 200 MW, Mr. Ratnayake explained. Accordingly, the CEB had proposed scheduled power interruptions, which was declined by the PUCSL.