Power and renewable energy Minister tours Norochcholai plant

 Power and Renewable Energy Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday toured the Norochcholai power plant.

The minister spoke to  media  at a press conference at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai to explain the current position in relation to the power plant which automatically halted its power generation with the breakdown in the Biyagama Receiving Station.

The press conference followed a tour of the Norochcholai power plant.

Minister Siyambalapitiya said under normal circumstances when a coal power plant stalls, it takes nearly three days to cool down and start operating again.

He added that since the Norochcholai Power Plant generates 900 MW it has a massive impact on the electricity supply.

"Although all the other additional plants commenced operating, there would still be a shortfall of 400 to 500 MW to cater to the demand," minister Siyambalapitiya said. "Hence the need for power cuts until tomorrow".

The minister expressed his regrets over the inconvenience the consumers have to face due to this power failure.

"If the power consumers reduce consumption by 15 percent, the CEB could provide electricity without interruption. I request the public to use power with a sense of responsibility," he said.

Secretary to the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda and Ceylon Electricity Board General Manager C C Wickramasekara also spoke at the press conference.