Delayed mini-hydro power projects:

Minister shows red light

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has decided to cancel permits issued to developers of mini-hydro power projects who have failed to complete their projects within the stipulated time frame.

The Minister said he has given two weeks for the developers to prepare a report giving details of its progress, how long it would take to complete and the reasons for the delay.

He instructed the Ministry officials to cancel the permits given to those who fail to submit justifiable reasons for their delay and call fresh tenders for such projects.

The decision was taken after a progress review meeting on the mini-hydro power projects at the ministry premises. A ministry's internal investigation has revealed that persons who originally obtained the permits for such projects who have re-sold it to other parties, thereby committing various malpractices. Such misdeeds have also led to the delay of completing those projects on time, the minister said.

The Mahaweli Authority has given permits for 18 mini-hydro power projects.

Minister de Silva expressed confidence that if these projects are completed on time by 2012, another 58 megawatts can be added to the national grid. "That would also help the Mahaweli Authority to generate an additional income of Rs 344 million," said the minister.

Project developers pointed out to the minister that they could not complete the projects on time due to the delays on the part of the Power and Energy Ministry and also the Sustainable Energy Authority, in giving permission and approval.

The minister said he is planning to hold a discussion with Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and other officials to resolve the problems faced by the developers.

The discussion was also attended by the Mahaweli Authority Director General D M C Dissanayake and Executive Director N C N Nawaratne.