(UTV | COLOMBO) – The Ministry of Power has refuted recent media reports that the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant is not functional.
Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board Vijitha Herath issuing a statement said the CEB has been able to generate 200 units of electricity with the aid of hydro power plans due to heavy rain experienced during the last few days.
Vijitha Herath said such a large number of units costs Rs.30 per unit if generated through diesel.
However he added the cost the CEB has to incur to generate a unit of electricity through hydro power is Rs.2.
Accordingly, the CEB has generated an estimated profit of Rs.25 per unit bringing the total profit of Rs.5 billion through the decision.
He added the demand for electricity was greatly reduced due to island-wide travel restrictions being imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 adding that the
Thambapawani power plant was fully operational due to the availability of maximum water capacity.
Vijitha Herath claimed it was not necessary to have all three generators of the Norochcholai power plant active under such circumstances.
Therefore the CEB Chairman said one generator at Norochcholai was temporarily shut down, adding the generator has not malfunctioned.