Laxapana gets BHP after 26 years
Dinesh DE ALWIS
Approval has been given to proceed with the construction of
Broadlands Hydropower Project (BHP) by Cabinet after the Power and
Energy Minister’s direct involvement at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. The
project will be launched after 26 years, said Ministry sources. BHP is
considered as the last economically feasible Hydro Power Project in the
Laxapana Hydro Power complex.
The estimated value for the construction was US $ 103 million but
Power and Energy Ministry would proceed with US $ 82 million tender
received from China National Electric Equipment Ltd. Hydrochina
Corporation has submitted a bid for US $ 113 million while Farab
International FZE bid price was US $ 142. The proposed power project
with a capacity of 35 MW is capable of providing 126 million units to
the National electricity grid. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board
the project will save Rs 1.5 billion to the country. Though a research
study has been done in 1983 and 1984 the Government failed to construct
the power plant because of various reasons. The 35MW capacity Broadlands
Hydropower Project is a Run–of–River (ROR) type development in the
Kelani River,located in the Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
A 24m high 114m long concrete gravity dam across Maskelioya at
Polpitiya and 19 m high 48 m long concrete gravity diversion weir across
Kehelgamu oya at Polpitiya will be constructed under the project.
BHP minimizes the Carbon Dioxide emission to the environment
preventing it by 80,000 tons per annum, earning for the country US $ 2.4
million in carbon trading. |