The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, this is the reply to the question raised on 2025.02.18 by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake under Standing Order 27(2):

¶ 02 1. A sudden failure of a 33 kV busbar at the Panadura Grid Substation caused a continued drop in system frequency, leading to tripping of Lakshapana, New Laxapana, Old Laxapana, Polpitiya, Victoria and Uma Oya power plants on under-frequency protection.

¶ 03 2. Restoration commenced immediately after the total outage. In the first attempt, Biyagama, Sapugaskanda and Kelaniya substations were restored via Upper Kotmale, but tripped again due to unexpected demand variations. Restoration was then re-initiated via Upper Kotmale, Kotmale and Victoria, prioritizing Biyagama, Sapugaskanda, Kelaniya, Kotugoda and Kelanitissa (with Colombo National Hospital), and the full system was restored by 3.45 p.m. via the Mahaweli hydro system.

¶ 04 3. As an urgent measure, establishing a Renewable Energy Desk with a Battery Energy Storage System for better forecasting, control and monitoring of renewables at the National System Control Centre is proposed. We reached an agreement with ADB in December 2024, and the Ministry is expediting interventions.

¶ 05 4. The absence of an RE Desk and similar facilities meant there was no proper advance warning mechanism at the time.

¶ 06 5. To assess possible economic loss, pre- and post-outage load data from all grid substations must be obtained; CEB is undertaking this.

¶ 07 6. The Ministry-appointed committee’s preliminary inquiry finds no negligence or sabotage; an independent internal committee has been appointed for further inquiry and is in progress. A full report will be submitted.

¶ 08 7. Average generator cost at government point (Rs. Mn): 2024 average 29,984; September 34,875; October 25,392; November 85,217; December 28,417.