Chunnakam Wind Power Project tender to resume:

LNG tender for Sampur to be called

By Rukshana Rizwie

Sri Lanka is expected to go for an international bidding process for the accelerated construction of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Power Plants in Sampur, Trincomalee, Tenders will be advertised as early as July 15, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy Dr. B.M.S Batagoda, told the Sunday Observer.

“President Maithripala Sirisena requested that we shelved plans for the 500 megawatt coal power plant and pursue all options for an LNG plant as fast and as early as possible,” Dr. Batagoda said. “Hence we will advertise for tenders for an international bidding process on July 15,” he said.

The Indian government has agreed in principle to support the government’s efforts to pursue an LNG plant, however reliable sources said the Japanese were yet to give their feedback on the change.

Energy expert Dr. Thilak Siyambalapitiya expressed his reservations regarding the announcement, saying the government should conduct an Initial Environment Assessment (IEA) before proceeding with a tender process, which he dubbed as a ‘non-starter’.

So far the procurement committee has received 70 international bids for the two 10 megawatt wind power plants to be set up in Chunnakam. “When this project was discussed at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management, members had expressed their concerns regarding the viability of the plant hence it had to be cancelled indefinitely,” he explained.

The looming power crisis was also discussed at a meeting the President chaired last week, during which it was also decided that a floating solar power system also referred to as Marine Solar Tech will be developed at the Mahaweli reservoir. “This is an attempt to increase our renewable energy output so that we may avert a power crisis.”

“These are ambitious plans, but we must first see how much of solar power we can construct on land before we take over the waters,” Dr. Siyambalapitiya said.