Minister assures smooth functioning of power generation projects

Wasantha Ramanayake

COLOMBO: Ceylon Electricity Board was implementing three major power generation projects in Norochcholai, Upper Kotmale and Kerawalapitiya to avert any crisis situation, said Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Senevirathne, addressing media at Government Information Department, yesterday.

Minister Senevirathne said that the funds would be available to the Chinese construction company in the next week or two and the construction works of Norochcholai coal fired power plant could be started soon.

Refuting the allegations of certain Trade Unions that the construction of the Coal Power plant was nothing but limited to the foundation stone, the Minister stressed that the construction was functioning smoothly.

“The major hurdle was the acquisition of the land for construction of the power plant. Now we have the free hold of the land as 72 displaced families had been resettled elsewhere in new houses.”

He further said that the road network is also being developed in the area. However the Minister admitted that there was some delay in receiving funds from the Chinese Government. The Minister said that the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project and the Kerawalapitiya Multifuel operated Combined Cycle Power Plant were also progressing satisfactorily.

The Minister cautioned customers of the rising fuel prices in the world market that would adversely affect the power generation using diesel and other petroleum products.

“Ceylon Petroleum Corporation is no longer in a position to give diesel at concessionary rates to the CEB since the CPC itself is in a dire economic situation and that would increase the production cost of electricity, since CEB already incurring a daily loss of 45 million rupees.