SJB Raises Questions Over Power Failure, Claims Expert Warnings Were Ignored

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Divulapitiya co-organiser Sankha Abeywardhana has accused the authorities of ignoring expert recommendations on electricity grid protection, claiming that the failure to implement essential safeguards contributed to Sri Lanka's recent nationwide power outage.

Speaking at an SJB media briefing on October 22, Abeywardhana alleged that the power failure had caused significant economic losses and raised serious questions about the management of the country's electricity supply system.

He pointed out that the nationwide power outage on February 9 last year had reportedly caused losses amounting to Rs. 8.4 billion. He questioned why similar disruptions had occurred again despite a complaint being lodged with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with the earlier incident.

Claims of Ignored Technical Recommendations

Abeywardhana alleged that written recommendations issued by the National System Manager on November 12, 2024, had not been implemented.

According to him, the recommendations included updating the Under-Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) protection system, making adjustments to tariff mechanisms and installing battery storage systems to strengthen the stability of the national electricity grid.

He argued that failure to implement these measures had left the power system vulnerable to disruptions.

Dispute Over the Cause of the Power Outage

Abeywardhana also disputed the explanation given by the Minister of Power regarding the cause of the recent blackout.

While the minister had reportedly attributed the incident to a fault at the Upper Kotmale power station, Abeywardhana claimed that the actual trigger was the failure of the first turbine at the Norochcholai coal power plant, which had reportedly been operating at a capacity of 187 megawatts.

The precise sequence of events leading to the nationwide outage would need to be established through technical investigations.

Allegations Over Expensive Emergency Electricity Purchases

The SJB representative further raised concerns about coal imports and the increasing reliance on electricity generated using fuel and diesel.

He alleged that the importation of substandard coal had resulted in losses amounting to millions of dollars and claimed that fuel-generated electricity costing approximately Rs. 1 billion to Rs. 1.5 billion per day was being added to the national grid.

He also questioned the pricing arrangements involving the Sahasdanavi diesel power plant, alleging that an approval of Rs. 20 per unit had been followed by purchases at a much higher rate of approximately Rs. 238 per unit under a standby arrangement.

These allegations concerning fuel quality, procurement costs and electricity pricing were raised by Abeywardhana at the media briefing and have not been independently verified in this report.

Concerns Over Renewable Energy

Abeywardhana also criticised the government's approach to rooftop solar power, arguing that changes associated with the Net Plus scheme had discouraged the growth of solar electricity generation.

He claimed that rooftop solar capacity contributing to the national grid had declined from approximately 850 megawatts to between 200 and 230 megawatts.

He further argued that solar electricity available at rates of Rs. 14, Rs. 20 and Rs. 27 per unit could provide a less expensive alternative to diesel-generated power.

According to him, insufficient support for renewable energy could increase dependence on more expensive emergency electricity purchases.

Economic Impact and El Niño Concerns

Abeywardhana warned that a possible El Niño-related dry period during the first quarter of next year could place additional pressure on electricity generation and create a need for emergency power purchases.

He claimed that the cumulative economic losses associated with the electricity-sector problems had exceeded Rs. 200 billion.

The estimated losses and projections cited at the briefing were not independently substantiated in the information provided.

Explains Participation in Satyagraha

During the briefing, Abeywardhana also explained his participation in a satyagraha and procession held at Viharamahadevi Park.

He said he had attended the event as a Sri Lankan citizen and a Buddhist in support of the Buddhist clergy.

The SJB representative's remarks centred on electricity-sector accountability, the implementation of technical safeguards, renewable energy policy and the financial implications of power generation and procurement decisions.