Hydro, coal power cheaper than thermal plants - Minister

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Government has taken a firm decision to commission hydro- power and coal power plants rather than thermal plants in the country to pass more benefits for the over 4.3 million electricity consumers, according to Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

In an interview with Sunday Observer, Minister Ranawaka said that monthly electricity bills could be drastically reduced with the commissioning of hydro-power and coal power plants rather than the costly thermal power plants.

The Minister has already appointed a committee to look into electricity usage in the country and the ways and means of providing electricity at cheap rates. Therefore, as an initial step, he intends to construct coal power plants.

The Minister said the CEB made profits until 1997 due to the production of 98 percent of the country's electricity requirement through hydro power.

Speaking on the Norochcholai coal power plant, he said the first stage was completed last year with the addition of 300 MWs to the national grid. Another 600 MWs will be generated from the final stage which is expected to be completed by next year.

He said electricity consumers will also get more benefits from the Sampur coal power plant in Trincomalee which will be commissioned shortly.

Minister Ranawaka said a scheme of pricing electricity according to the time of use will be introduced shortly for the first time in Sri Lanka to provide relief to consumers.