Reduced electricity charges from 2013

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) yesterday assured that present electricity charges will be reduced with the commissioning of the Sampur and Norochcholai coal power plants in 2013.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne told the Sunday Observer that the construction work of the US $ 500 million Sri Lanka-India joint venture coal power plant in Sampur, Trincomalee will commence during the first week of January next year."The Sampur power project is expected to generate 1000 MW, while the Norochcholai power project will add another 900 MW to the national grid," he said.

"The power purchase agreement in relation to the joint venture will be signed in Colombo at the end of this month," sources said.

Chairman, CEB L.S.K Edirisinghe will sign the agreement on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government, while a senior official of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Alok Karna will sign on behalf of India.

Power and Energy Ministry senior official Harsha Abeyakoon said that under the first phase of the Sampur project 500 MW will be added to the national grid, while another 500 MW will be added after the second phase.

He also said due to various reasons the construction work of this joint coal power project which was approved by the Cabinet two years ago was delayed.

"However, during that period the construction work of the Norochcholai coal power plant could be commenced."

He said the first phase of the Chinese Government funded Norochcholai Coal Power Project which is constructed at a cost of US $ 455 million will add 300 MW to the national grid and another 600 MW after the completion of the second and third phases of the project.