Affordable electricity - the objective:

Lighting up the nation

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Power and Energy Ministry’s main objective is to install more coal power plants within the next five years rather than constructing high cost diesel power plants. This will not only save a large sum of foreign exchange annually spent on diesel, but also help provide electricity to 4.3 million consumers at concessionary rates.

Power and Energy Minister, W.D.J. Seneviratne

In an interview with the `Sunday Observer’, Power and Energy Minister, W.D.J. Seneviratne said due to the development activities carried out by the Power and Energy Ministry in the recent past, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was able to improve the country’s power sector to a great extent.

“Our prime objective is to provide electricity at a low cost to over 4.3 million consumers and accordingly we have decided to construct more coal power plants, in addition to the two coal power plants being constructed at Norochcholai and Sampur in Trincomalee.”

He said the Norochcholai power plant is constructed at a cost of US $ 455 million by China and power distribution will commence next March.

Minister Seneviratne said the primary construction work of the project’s first phase will be completed before the middle of next year. The CEB expects to generate 300 MW, while another 600 MW will be generated under the second and third phases of the project, which will be completed by 2013.

Referring to a recent inspection tour made by a group of CEB officials and media personnel to the Norochcholai construction site, the Minister said over 75 percent of the work of the first phase of this mega project has now been completed.

A workforce of nearly 900 Chinese personnel including engineers, helpers, welders and fitters are working round the clock at the site, while a few Sri Lankan engineers assist them with consultancy work.

He said a new power line with 288 towers will be installed at a cost of US $ 70 million from the Norochcholai power house to the Veyangoda grid sub-station to distribute power to a large area.

Roofing ceremony

The `Roofing Ceremony’ of the Norochcholai power plant, which is the final official event before the opening ceremony, according to Chinese tradition, was held on August 20 under the patronage of Minister Seneviratne.

Work under way at Upper Kotmale

The ceremony was attended by a 30-member Chinese Buddhist delegation and also several Buddhist monks from Malwatta, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Chapters.

Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and several Chinese political leaders and diplomatic officials from both countries attended the `Roofing Ceremony’.

Minister Seneviratne said the country annually spends a colossal sum of foreign exchange on diesel and lubricants to activate thermal power plants, and as a result, the CEB is not in a position to reduce electricity charges right now.

“But, after construction is completed on a few more coal power plants in the near future, we will definitely be in a position to pass these benefits to consumers,” he said.

Sampur project

He said Sri Lanka’s second coal power plant, which has the capacity to generate 1000 MW, is now in progress at Sampur, in collaboration with the Indian Government.

“Under the first phase of this project, 500 MW will be generated and the remaining 500 MW will be generated under the second phase,” he said.

Minister Seneviratne gave his assurance that the country will not experience any black-outs in future, especially after commissioning the two coal power plants at Norochcholai and Sampur.

On the progress of the Upper Kotmale hydropower plant, the Minister said the construction work will be completed during the early part of next year.

He also predicted that after the completion of the four major power projects at Norochcholai, Sampur, Upper Kotmale and Kerawalapitiya, Sri Lanka will never face any power shortages.

On the progress of rural electrification projects, the Minister said as the initial step, the CEB has planned to install new power houses in several rural areas, where more than 500 families will benefit.

The Norochcholai power plant under construction

Kerawalapitiya, another major project

“Even at the moment, we are carrying out feasibility studies to identify the areas that need electricity on an urgent basis, and we will fulfil this task next year.”

Exchanging electricity

Minister Seneviratne also mentioned the Electricity Exchange Agreement, to be signed with India.

“Under this proposed project, we have decided to install a power station at Talaimannar, while the Government of India will install a power station at Danushkodi, India,” he said.

This project will enable both countries to exchange electricity when necessary. “As we are aware, India needs more electricity during the daytime for industrial purposes and large-scale agricultural activities, while Sri Lanka needs more electricity during the peak hours between 6.30 p.m. and 9.30 p.m.”

The Minister also mentioned that in addition to these major power projects, the CEB has also decided to install mini hydropower stations at Broadlands in the Sabaragamuwa Province, Moneragala District and the Uma Oya areas to generate 35 MW, 45 MW and 100 MW respectively.

The Minister focused special attention over the wastage of electricity by individuals, Local Government Institutions and traders by lighting high-powered electricity bulbs for commercial purposes.

He requested the public to use electricity sparingly and the local bodies to switch off street lights on time.