Coal power will ensure no black-outs

Walter LIYANARACHCHI in Norochcholai

The Government has taken a firm decision to reinforce the coal power supply generation to eliminate the off and on poor feeding of unpredictable hydro power supply due to unhealthy weather changes.

"During the past we have been chiefly depending on hydro power supply which caused interruptions to the national consumption and especially disrupting the economy.

The decision to strengthen the coal power generation will be a solution to the short supply of hydro power due to droughts and to ensure that there will be no black-outs. Industrialists, entrepreneurs and various other sources depending on electricity will also not be hampered", said Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman C.A.S.K. Edirisinghe. The CEB Chairman was speaking during an inspection tour to the Norochcholai Coal Power project work site.

The Norochcholai Coal Power plant was planned to be built in three phases. The construction of the first phase has now been completed 75 percent and 300 MW is expected to feed into the national grid from time to time on a trial basis in mid June next year.

By the end of the year, the plants will strengthen the national grid permanently with 300 MW. Earlier it was planned to commence phase two and three in different periods but considering the national importance to meet the growing electricity demand and to fall in line with the Government's expeditious development projects, it has been decided to complete phase two and three together generating 600 MW in addition to the 300 MW, Edirisinghe said.

The construction of the first phase power plant was officially commenced in August 2008. A US $ 455 million loan was secured from the People's Republic of China through EXIM Bank of China. Lands required for the construction of the power plant, resettlement and for improvement of the access roads have been acquired within the past two years. Resettlement of 80 families in furnished houses was carried out in Daluwa. The houses of the resettlers were provided with all modern facilities, sanitary, water, electricity etc., who had lived in makeshift cadjan houses, the Chairman said.

Project Director (Electrical) P.C.C. Perera said 13 km from Palaviya to work site was renovated and the balance 40 km upto Kalpitiya will be rehabilitated with CEB expenses.

The construction of the 150m chimney, boiler and the main generating plants which are the large scale constructions of the power house is nearing completion.

Internal roads and other buildings were constructed in parallel and the three storied administrative building, cafeteria and fire protection building are also nearing completion.

Approval for the 117 km, 220 KV transmission line from Norochcholai power house to the Veyangoda Grid sub station had been received and basic surveying activities and geological surveys have been finalised, he said.