300MW generator 'rejoins' national grid today

The 300 MegaWatt (MW) generator of the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, which malfunctioned earlier this week, is to be reconnected to the national grid today (23).

Director (Development) of the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy and Media Spokesman, Sulakshana Jayawardena, said repairs to the generator, known as 'Unit 1', were to have been completed last evening.

The Unit had remained out of action for six days since it suffered a breakdown on April 17. However, the disruption did not force the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to impose power-cuts, as the other two Units at the 900 MW plant functioned at full capacity.

The plant, while vital for providing uninterrupted electricity to the country, has a long history of breakdowns. The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy says, since the inception of the plant, Unit 1 has broken down on 37 occasions, Unit 2 has suffered 17 breakdowns, while Unit 3 has malfunctioned on 9 occasions.