From thermal to natural gas
by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI
Power Stations will be converted from thermal to natural gas reducing
the unit production cost by over fifty per cent with assistance pledged
by Russia, said Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
At present six thermal power plants including Kelanitissa plant
generate 548 MW out of 2400 MW, the country's total electricity
production by Hydraulic thermal and other sources.
The Power Minister said that during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's
recent visit to Russia an important agreement on oil and gas
varyfavourable to Sri Lanka was signed by the two countries.
"Sri Lanka should switch over from the outdated and costly thermal
power generation to natural gas which not only reduces the production
cost but is also eco-friendly", he said.
"President Rajapaksa visited the Russian Gas and Oil Company Gazprom
- Moscow and had talks with its CEO Alexei. B. Miller. The Russian
Company agreed to help Sri Lanka to develop the power sector, he said.
Gazprom is the largest gas company in the world and supplies gas to a
number of countries including over 30 European nations. The annual
supply is estimated at 500 million cubic metres.
Power and Energy Ministry Media Secretary Harsha Abeykoon said that
the National Energy Plan initiated by Power and energy Minister W. D. J.
Seneviratna is set to go for natural gas and coal for power generation
in place of thermal power which is both expensive and environmentally
unhealthy. The conversion to natural gas is highly economical and
beneficial to the country, he said.
He said Rs. 50,000 million is spent by the government annually to
import high quality diesel for power generating plants.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) spends Rs. 124 billion to generate
electricity whereas it earns only Rs. 118 billion loosing Rs.6 billion
annually under the present setup he said.
As advised by President Mahinda Rajapaksa the Power and Energy
Minister took steps to meet this alarming situation with the setup of
hydraulic, inexpensive natural gas and coal power plants such as
Norochchole and Kotmale, he said.
The government had taken a decision to inactivate diesel power plants
as early as possible, Abeykoon said.
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