|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
'Heladanavi' to augment power supply by Anton Nonis A private thermal power plant known as `Heladanavi' with a capacity of 100 mega watts will be added to the national grid next month thereby augmenting the total power supply (hydro and thermal) to 2500 mw, Ceyon Electricity Board chairman Ananda Gunasekera said. At present, the total hydro power generated is 1200 mw and the thermal power supplied by the CEB is 618 mw while Independent Power Production (IPP) is 355 mw with another 325 mw supplied by emergency thermal projects. The power supply would be even more satisfactory with the restoration of the thermal power plant at the Kelanitissa power house with a capacity of 165 mw. Currently, it is defunct and repairs are being conducted. Meanwhile, the water levels in hydro-electric reservoirs are satisfactory and with the South-West monsoon rains expected in those areas, they are bound to swell. Water Management Director of Mahaweli Authority, M. Abeygunawardene, said each of the Kotmale, Castlereigh and Moussakelle reservoirs has a water storage above 80 per cent these days, whereas in Samanalawewa, Randenigala and Udawalawe there is a capacity of 56%, 45% and 30% respectively. The lowest is recorded by Victoria, 24%. Gunasekera said that at present, 70 per cent of the country's population are fed with electricity and the aim of the CEB was to increase it to 80 per cent within the next few years. He said that with increased power facilities, the targeted 80 per cent would be possible with the installation of a coal power plant at Norochcholai. Already Rs.500 million has been spent on feasibility studies at Norochcholai. Gunasekera said the government had already decided that Norochcholai would be the site for the installation of the new coal power plant. It is hoped that Japan Bank International Corporation (JBIC) would fund this project. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
