Added power generation to boost economic
growth
by Rohan Mathes
Mother nature has bestowed
its bountiful blessings to the paradise isle of Sri Lanka in
the form of the world's most beautiful, natural waterfalls,
rivers, hills, picturesque sandy beaches and more.
 Moreover our forefathers, during the nation's 2550 year
journey have embellished the country's landscape with a rich
cultural tapestry predominated by world renowned monolithic
structures of viharas and Dagabas.
The massive irrigation schemes erected by them have
undoubtedly added colour and kept the great scientists of
the 20th century guessing and amazed on the technological
marvel wrought.
Notwithstanding these feats, Sri Lanka to-date has
dismally failed in its quest for self-sufficiency in power
or simply 'Electricity'. Moving in the footsteps of our
forefathers, the country was lit by the electricity
generated by hydro-based sources. The generation was far
below our requirements and demand.
It is an accepted fact however that electricity is a
crucial pre-requiste for development. Electricity should
also be made available at an affordable price to the
consumer. Development and an envisaged economic growth rate
of around 8 per cent, sans electricity is a myth.
Referring to the paramount importance of this scarce
resource of electricity in the overall development of his
country, the Soviet Union's founder V.I. Lenin had quite
rightly observed that a backward agricultural country could
evolve itself into a newly industrialiced nation, only when
its power requirements are met adequately.
Nevertheless, for more than fifty years of our post-independance
era, the Hydro-Power generation was operated by the rivers
which originated from the central hills and flowed down the
slopes of the country.
The Hydro-power stations of Lakshapana, Samanala,
Wimalasurendra, Canyon, Nava Lakshapana, Ukuwela, Bowatenna,
Kotmale, Victoria, Randenigala, Rantambe, Samanalaweva,
Inginiyagala, Udawalawe and Kukuleganga belonged to this
category which contributed to generate around 1209 Mega
Watts of power to the National Grid.
The power thus generated was only limited to 35 per cent
of the total demand envisaged by the country. The growth in
population, broadbased economic development, local and
foreign investment and large-scale industrialisation and
other demographic factors had contributed immensely to the
equation.
The supply was far below that demanded and it was evident
that the country was heading for a crisis situation in the
energy sector.
The balance requirement of around 65 per cent of the
country's energy was provided by the existing Diesel-powered
stations located in an ad-hoc manner around the country.
The escalating costs of oil in the world market by the
day, proved beyond doubt that the diesel-Powered generator
was not the panacea for the aggravating energy crisis.
Ever since the crisis surfaced in the early seventies or
even earlier, several schools of thought emerged within the
Power and Energy fraternity among scholars and
intellectuals. Alternatives were suggested, plans were drawn
up and feasibility studies made.
Each and every alternative project had its inherent
strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, merits
and demerits and of course a share of advantages and
disadvantages. None was perfect and sans blemish.
The origins of a Coal-Powered plant could be traced back
to the early 1980's. However, plans for the first ever
construction of a Coal Power plant at Norochcholai in the
Kalpitiya peninsular, Puttalam district and the North
Western Province of Sri Lanka, was made in the 1990's.
As in all other mega development projects of a developing
country, history repeats itself. Under-estimating the very
dividends and the benefits the nation would reap from the
said project in toto, various sections of society, opposed,
protested and agitated in defiance of the project.
Arguements and counter-arguements were presented on
religious, cultural, socio-economic and even political
lines.
The most significant and relevant in the plant's
installation was its environmental impact which had been
closely studied and analysed. However, their findings were
sometimes exaggerated or highlighted with misinformation,
misjudgement or occasionally with malice.
Albeit the Coal Plant was a blessing in disguise to the
region, to some it looked a monster which had descended to
destroy the whole of the Puttalam district.
Some Analysts argued that the plant would cause the loss
of livelihoods to the local farmining and fishing
communities.
Communities instigated by these theories took to the
streets in protest. Political exigencies over-whelmed a
crucial national issue and a necessity. Consequently, the
construction of the plant in Norochcholai had been delayed
by a decade.
The status quo still remained and dominated all other
concerns. We are consistently confronted with the burning
issue of rising oil prices in the global markets, and the
resulting hikes in electricity tariffs which are believed to
be the highest in Asia if not the world.
The ever-increasing electricity costs are driving the
domestic consumer from pillar to post and crippling the
small-medium and large-scale industrial sector as well. The
country as a whole, is heading for disaster. A sustainable
solution to the energy crisis had to be found, and found
soon, or be doomed.
It was in this backdrop that President Mahinda Rajapaksa
symbolically inaugurated the long-overdue and stagnant
'Coal-Power' plant at Norochcholai recently. As the Power
and Energy Minister John Senevirathna noted at the function,
it was President Rajapaksa's strong political will and his
astute leadership that made this event a reality.
The inauguration invariably marked a great leap forward
in the government's genuine efforts of solving the energy
crisis within the next few years. This endeavour was yet
another true manifestation of the 'Mahinda Chintanaya', in
the provision of 'Electricity for all' policy.
Recognising the necessity and the urgency of the
Norochcholai Plant at the present juncture, President
Rajapaksa urged all the stakeholders of the project to
expedite the construction process.
"If not for the unfortunate setbacks this project had to
face in the past, instead of inaugurating, I could have
commissioned it today", he added.
"As electricity tariffs are entwined with the global oil
market prices which are continuously rising, I urge all
concerned to complete the project at least one year ahead of
schedule", the President further said at the epoch-making
symbolic inauguration ceremony which marked a paradigm shift
in the landscape of power and energy in Sri Lanka.
Despite the ongoing war in the North East, the President
in his wisdom, vision and with foresight took the bold
decision of launching the Norochcholai, Upper Kotmale and
the Kerawalapitiya power plants which would contribute
around 3000 Mega Watts of power to the National Grid by
2015.
The mega development project did dislodge and displace 72
odd families domiciled in the region. Nonetheless, President
Rajapaksa a people's leader being deeply concerned about
their welfare, had directed the relevant ministries to do
the needful to mitigate and minimise the transfer.
These 72 displaced families have been provided new
housing with all amenities and infrastructural facilities,
inclusive of potable water, electricity, roads, transport
and the like, in a housing complex at Daluwa in Norochcholai.
Rural Electrification facilities have been provided for
Norochcholai, Daluwa, Senapura and Narakkalliya. Work is
already under way in the 40 feet wide, 40 kilo metre stretch
of the Puttalam-Kalpitiya road.
The Power Plant will undoubtedly be of yeoman service to
the people of the Puttalam district in their path to
progress. Around 3000 jobs are to be generated directly by
the project for the people of the Puttalam district. The
Power and Energy Ministry has also agreed to grant them a 50
per cent tariff reduction on their electricity bills.
Last but not the least, the assistance and co-operation
extended by the Chinese Government in making this mega
project a reality should be greatly appreciated. The
financial services offered by the Chinese EXIM Bank and the
CMEC Company of China to whom the construction of the plant
has been assigned to, should also come in for praise.
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