Transformer fire deprived national grid of 65 MW of power

The transformer connecting Puttalam’s wind power farms to the national grid burned during a peak generation month, creating a shortage of 65 megawatts of power.

A short occurred in the distribution line on July 25 around 8.30 a.m, an authoritative source said. This bur ned the transformer winding. August is when wind power generation is at its highest in Kalpitiya.

The transformer, located at the Norochcholai coal plant premises, provides 65MW of power to the grid from multiple vendors: Senok Wind Power Ltd, WindForce Pvt Ltd, and Lanka Transformers Ltd. Power is brought to the transformer in 33kVA lines by the wind plants.

The transfor mer then increases it to 220kVA to connect to the main distribution line to Anuradhapura, sources said. It was managed by the wind power plant companies for over eight years at their own cost. Any loss of generation due to transformer failure will mean the power plant owners are unable to sell electricity to the grid as per the p owe r purchase agreements, even if it is not their fault.

The Ceylon Electricity Board took over the transformer in October last year, under the direction of then Minister of Power Ravi Karunanayake and Ministry Secretary B. M. S. Batagoda. The utility then used it to connect a 33kVA power distribution line to Kalpitiya despite opposition from wind power plant owners, the sources claimed.

The transformer was procured from Indonesia, and the supplier can repair it on- site. However, due to ongoing travel restrictions, it is not clear when this will happen. This means the national grid is now devoid of this wind power supply, and producers cannot generate power or revenue until the transformer is fixed.