Kerawalapitiya gas plant to add 200 MW in June

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Gas Turbine plant which will add 200 MW of electricity to the national grid from the Combined Cycle Power plant in Kerawalapitiya will be commissioned in June.

The Combined Cycle Power plant which will generate 300 MW will be fully commissioned next year with the operation of a 100 MW stream turbine plant.

Deputy Director General (Strategy), Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Harsha Wickramasinghe said with the commissioning of the Gas turbine plant as a short term plan will help to avoid a major power crisis this year to a great extent.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) can find a solution to a two-year demand growth with the commissioning of the Combined Cycle power plant. With the increase in population and industrial development in the country the demand for electricity has doubled", Wickramasinghe said.

He said ten years ago around 50 per cent of the population obtained electricity from the national grid but today nearly 80 per cent get electricity from the grid.

The commissioning of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power plant as a medium term plan will also help to solve the shortage of power in the country. The 150 MW hydro power plant will be commissioned in 2010.

The Deputy Director said long term projects such as the Norochcholai and Trincomalee coal power plants are vital to cater to the growing demand for electricity.

The Sustainable Energy Authority has taken steps to phase out incandescent filament lamps which consume more electricity during evening peak hours.

"By phasing out incandescent filament lamps, the country could save a power demand of around 100 MW during the evening peak time. The use of CFL bulbs will be promoted with a label to identify the quality of the bulb.

A minimum performance standard for CFL bulbs will be enforced", he said.

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