Coal power will slash electricity cost - Power Minister

Ariyapala Wansathilake Kurunegala central special corr

The Norochcholai Coal Power plant being built with Chinese assistance will reduce the cost of electricity said Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne. He was speaking at a press briefing at Yapahuwa, Harasiyagama cultural centre recently.

Minister Seneviratne said if an efficient electricity supply is not available industrial development will lag behind. Under the Mahinda Chinthana concept, all Ministries and Departments are expected to extend this facility to rural areas as well, he said.

The industrial and commercial sectors waste electricity to the tune of Rs. 30 million and domestic wastage is Rs. 20 million per day.

India has agreed to form joint ventures to construct a coal power factory at Trincomalee. This discussion was fruitful and will materialise very soon, he said.

The Government has provided 78 per cent of the country with electricity in keeping with the pledge given by the Mahinda Chinthana.

The Government has planned to add 4,100 mw to the national grid and have five coal power plants before 2012.

Another 1,000 mw plant will be constructed in Trincomalee with the assistance of the Indian Government. He said, the 80 per cent of economic growth targeted by the Mahinda Chinthana will depend on the development achieved by the energy sector. "We should understand that the economic growth cannot be achieved without developing the power and energy sector," he said.

Nearly 61 per cent of the total power supply is generated through power stations which are run by fuel.

The CEB has to incur a Rs. 50 million loss per day. Nearly 20 per cent of power generation is wasted in Sri Lanka.