Power plant construction begins in Kerawalapitiya

by Anura Maitipe

The construction of the Kerawalapitiya power plant at a cost of Rs. 4,000 million will commence next week, Minister of Power and Energy W.D.J Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer.

The construction of the Kerawalapitiya power plant was undertaken jointly by the BPH International, Canada and Alenbaro Energy Cooperation USA on a Build Operation and Transfer (BOT) basis and this project is scheduled to be completed within 14 months,he added.

With the completion of this power plant another 300 megawatts will be added to the main grid by 2007.

In addition 300 new employment opportunities will also be created under this project, the Minister pointed out. The Central Environment Authority has given the green light for this project after a complete study of the environment aspect. Land for this project has already been earmarked.

The total electricity requirement of the country is around 7600 MW of which, nearly 4100 MW is generated from hydro stations and the balance from diesel power plants.