As of April 21, 2025, Sri Lanka’s Norochcholai Power Plant is back to full capacity, with all three generator units operational. This follows a temporary shutdown of one unit during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays due to lower electricity demand.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) confirmed the reactivation of the final unit at 11:00 a.m., in response to a noticeable increase in nationwide power usage after the festive season.
During the holidays, the CEB prioritized hydro and renewable energy sources, leading to the temporary suspension of thermal plants, including the Norochcholai and Kelanitissa Naphtha power plants.
As part of this strategy, a renewable energy curtailment program began on April 10 to maintain grid stability. Initially scheduled to end at 3:00 p.m. on April 21, the program was lifted early—on April 20—due to the unexpected surge in electricity demand.
CEB spokesman, Engineer Dhammika Wimalaratne, acknowledged the valuable cooperation of nearly 100,000 solar power providers, including domestic rooftop users and commercial producers.
Their compliance in adjusting power output during the holidays played a critical role in maintaining the grid’s stability. On April 13, the CEB even advised rooftop solar unit owners to pause generation during daylight hours, with systems over 100 kilowatts temporarily disconnected through SMS notification.
Despite the smooth resumption of full operations, the Norochcholai plant faces safety concerns. Reports indicate that the plant’s fire department ceased operations on April 1, after contract expirations were not renewed.
In the absence of trained fire personnel, firefighting responsibilities have been passed on to general plant staff. Experts view this as a potentially hazardous move, especially considering the plant’s scale and technical complexity.
Nevertheless, with hydropower generation still limited due to inadequate rainfall, Norochcholai remains a cornerstone in Sri Lanka’s energy infrastructure. The timely reactivation of all three units marks a crucial step in ensuring a stable power supply during the post-holiday demand spike.
The CEB concluded its statement by reiterating gratitude to solar energy contributors and the general public for their role in preserving national energy stability during a period of strategic power management and operational challenges.
