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Recent breakdowns in power supply owing to unavoidable technical defects - Ministry

The Ministry of Power and Energy responding to 'erroneous information in circulation on the breakdown in power supply', states that such breakdowns were the result of unavoidable technical defects.

It should be noted that two out of the three breakdowns (on 3rd, 6th and 11th January) occurred in consequence of unforeseen results of trials that were absolutely essential in implementing the present power expansion programme of the government, the Ministry stated.

The Ministry States in a media release;

Action was taken to hasten the work on the two combined cycle power plants under construction in the premises of the Kelanithissa Power Complex. Each of these plants has an installed capacity of 165 MV and these are the largest among the thermal power plants in Sri Lanka. One of these plants is constructed by the CEB with the assistance of JABIC (Japanese Bank For International Co-operation).

The work on the gas section of this plant, which generates 110 MV has been completed and the power generated is added to the National Grid.

The balance work on the steam section of this plant, which generates 55 MV was completed and preliminary tests were done only a few days back.

The breakdown in power supply on 03 January 2003 occurred during these preliminary tests. A technical defect in the steam section of the plant caused on automatic disconnection. As the thermal plant which was in operation generating 165 MV of energy was tripped, the 115 MV turbine (GT7) operating at Kelanithissa power complex and a 60 MV barge mounted thermal plant were tripped off automatically.

A total of 340 MV from the national grid was thus tripped off, leading to a breakdown of the entire national power supply. The CEB was able to restore the entire countrywide power supply to working order within two hours.

The second breakdown of power supply occurred on 06 January 2003. This was caused by the failure of a circuit breaker of the Polpitiya power station, which has an installed capacity of 75 MV.

Laxapana and Polpitiya power stations constructed in 1952 and 1976 respectively are among the oldest hydropower stations in Sri Lanka. These plants are still using the machinery and equipment installed at the beginning and these are now outdated.

The government decided at the beginning of 2002 that the equipment at Laxapana and Polpitiya should be replaced and work on rehabilitation at a cost of Rs. 1492 million commenced. This work is now 75 per cent complete and the balance would be completed before the end of 2003. At the same time the generating efficiency of Laxapana and Polpitiya would be improved.

The power failure on 11 January 2003 occurred in the early stages of the trial operation of the combine cycle power plant in the premises of the Kelanitissa Power Complex. Such occurrences are common during trial operations.

The intention of the government is to establish a stable, efficient system of power generation and supply, based on the economic resurgence of Sri Lanka. In our endeavour to achieve these targets, the government and the people will face many problems and setbacks. The power failures we experienced during the last two weeks are examples of such impediments, the Ministry notes. 

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