Renewable energy project in Kesbewa

Octagon Consolidated Bhd, a Malaysian company, has started to build a US$248 million waste-to-energy project in Sri Lanka.

The ground-breaking ceremony was held at Karadiyana, Kesbewa on Friday.

The event was witnessed by Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge and other top officials.

The plant will be using gasification technology capable of destroying up to 1,000 tonnes of local municipal solid waste a day and generating a minimum of 40MW of electricity which will be sold to the Ceylon Electricity Board.

"Construction is expected to start in the second quarter of next year and slated for completion in the second quarter of 2014.

"The plant is expected to help Colombo manage its waste effectively through the destruction of municipal solid waste to produce electricity for the Western Province," Octagon said.

-Bernama