US$ 120m turbines for Kerawalapitiya power plant

Remedy to possible power crisis in 2009, 2010:

Wasantha Ramanayake

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Senaviratne formally received the turbines for the Kerawalapitiya Multi Fuel Combined Cycle Power Plant at the Colombo Harbour yesterday.

The turbines had been imported from America at a cost of US $120 million.

The Kerawalapitiya power plant under construction is the only remedy to avert a possible power crisis in 2009 and 2010 until the commissioning of the Norochcholai and Upper Kotmale power projects, a Power and Energy Ministry official said. “We are anticipating a power crisis in 2009 and 2010.

“Kerawalapitiya is the only remedy which is in our hand at the moment. If we could successfully complete the project by the end of 2008 I am sure will be able face it,” Senaviratne said.

The minister stressed the need to expedite work on time to avoid power cuts.

Chief Executive Officer U.D. Jayawardane of Lanka Transformers Ltd., a major shareholder of the project, said a significant feature of the plant was that it could be operated in any three kinds of fuel Diesel, furnace oil or even Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

“The turbines could be operated by the gases emitted as a result of the combustion of fuel. Then a second turbine could be operated using the steam generated by the heat of such gases as well and this is what is called the combined cycle,” he explained.

The CEO added that 200 MW of power could be generated by gas turbines by July 2008 and another 100 MW generated by steam could be added later by July 2009.

The CEO said the cost of the power could be minimal since it could use cheaper furnace oil which was half expensive as diesel. He said local engineers would play a major role from designing up to the final commissioning of the plant and thus the total project cost too would be minimal.

US$ 120 million out of the total cost of US$326 million would be borne by five state entities who the major share- holders. US$ 206 million would be funded by foreign loans.

West Coast (Pvt) Ltd. a majority Government owned company would operate the plant and at the end of the project period after 25 years it would be handed over to the CEB free of charge.