Important energy source to national gridYet another historic landmark :

Norochcholai power to steam out in December

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi has said that Electricity is one of the key pillars for a nation to be classified as a developed country.

Sri Lanka too seems to have taken a cue from this and the much awaited and long overdue Norochcholai Coal Power Station is to be opened in December creating yet another historic landmark in the country.

Several political leaders had wanted to go ahead with this project as Coal fired power too was an important energy source to contribute to the national grid.

However, none of them could resolve the controversy the project had created and they thought it was best not to touch this sensitive area.

However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa knowing the importance of the project, after doing a thorough feasibility study decided to go ahead with the project as it would bring about numerous benefits to the country.

New jetty

Conveyor belt to transport coal

The Administrative Building. Behind is the Chimney: Sri Lanka's tallest non-habitable man-made structure

Housing complex for employees

Housing complex for employees

The government also launched several programs to talk to the people and convince them of the environment myth the project had created.

One of the main points put forward was that the fumes and dust from the plant would damage the environment and agricultural cycle of the area.

Another point put forward was that the nearby Talawila Church too would have a negative impact from it. However, environmentalists and engineers have taken great pains to zero the damage the plant would cause to the area and finally people were convinced and the project commenced with their blessings in May 2006.

Many countries have resorted to the technology of Coal Fired Power Plants to overcome power shortages. America generates over 300,000 MW from coal which amount to half of its power demand. India turns out more than two thirds of its electricity from coal power plants with an installed capacity of about 100,000 MW. China produces four fifths of its energy from coal power plants.

The Norochcholai venue was selected mainly as it was adjoining the sea, making unloading of coal easier.

China funds projects

The advantage in the soil too was another plus point while the government also saw that most of the land that would be used for the project belonged to the government making relocation easier and only 80 families had to be provided alternative land. They were provided with modern houses with 750 square feet in Daluwa area on a 20 perch of cultivable land.

The resettled farmer families have been provided with farming equipment, fishing gear and other requirements. They were also provided with schools and other community service facilities.

The funding of US $ 455 million for the first stage of the three phase project which would add 300 megawatts to the national grid too was a major issue until this was ironed out by the government with Chinese Exim Bank proving credit facilities. The second and third stage would add 600 megawatts. This plant will be constructed by West Coast Power (Pvt) Limited .

When all three shares are completed it would be the largest power plant in the country, in terms of capacity. In addition another historic mark of the project would be the 150 metre (492 ft) tall chimney that will be one of the country's tallest non-habitable man-made structures.

This chimney would be used to emit the smoke. Project Engineer R. Lokubalasuriya said that a painstaking procedure to meet international environment standards is being used. "The burned fuel that generates Sulphur Dioxide will be diluted through a FCD Absorber from bottom and sea water too would be sprayed in the process to further neutralise the fumes and gases. These would all happen inside the chimney and the dust would fall to a large water filled basin at the bottom of the chimney."

The plant also uses advance technology which nullifies emanation of soot and smoke and this would then be pumped to the sea through a 300-metre culvert after going through an air pump nozzle.

No damage the sea

"This waste water would not kill the fish nor damage the sea plants in the area." Coal supply to this project will be obtained from Indonesia which is one of the three sources for coal, the other two being Australia and South Africa. Supplies from Indonesia will be cheaper due to its proximity and negotiations have been completed in this regard. The contract was awarded to China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC), a Chinese Government owned company.

The power plant

The steam turbine

The coal that would be unloaded in mid sea would be transported through Barges to the plant's newly built jetty and would be unloaded by two cranes. Then it would be loaded to a conveyer belt which would bring the coal to the two acre yard that has the capacity to store coal for three months.

The yard has been constructed with a layer of Polyphone, and other chemicals which has a thickness of nearly two feet. Electricity generated from the plant will be connected to the national grid through a 115 km long 220-kilovolt transmission line up to the Veyangoda power transmitting station.

The project would generate over 500 employment opportunities and staff would be provided with special housing units. This housing complex would have recreation facilities such as a club house for indoor sports and other activates.

People happy today

Access roads from the Puttlam Main Road were one of the major concerns with single file traffic and roads were filled with pot holes. Today, thanks to this project newly laid carpeted roads have been built which have come to high praise from the residents.

Relocated families at Daluwa too are happy as the soil which now they enjoy is more fertile.

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Munidasa Premachandra said that the Norochcholai project would be a major boon for the area and would help to spur development.

"Electricity is a gray area in Puttlam and this project is welcomed by the residents," he said.

He added that two years ago a certain area in Bingiriya had only one diesel powered coir mill and with the introduction of electricity 22 additional mills started in 14 months within a radius of three kilo meters".

Similarly, people are now anticipating an economic boon in the area and it would help create more jobs opportunities and self-employment enterprises.

People who said no to Norochcholai power project yesterday have understood the advantages of it and are supporting it whole-heatedly. With the success of the Norochcholai Power Project the Government is now going ahead with the Sampur Coal Power Project in Trincomalee which would add 550 megawatts to the national grid.