CEB officially takes over ‘Lakvijaya’

Disna MUDALIGE in Norochcholai

The administrative and operational work of the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant has been officially handed over to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) by the Chinese main contractor ‘China Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation’, said CEB chairman Wimaladarma Abeywickrama.

He said that about 90 percent of the work of the power plant is now being operated by the CEB. Chinese assistance will continue for another four weeks to ensure a smooth transition, he said.

Abeywickrama said that the Lakvijaya has added 300 MWs to the national grid from Veyangoda under the first phase. Another 600 MWs will be generated through the plant after the completion of the second phase of the project.

He said that the first phase of the contract could be completed on February 13, 2011 which is 11 months ahead of the scheduled time. The contract started in July 23, 2007 for a period of 57 months. Sri Lankan government had spent Rs 5,300 million for the first phase and the Chinese company had provided USD 455 million at a two percent reduced interest rate,” he noted. He said that the Norochcholai power plant has enabled the CEB to provide electricity at internationally competitive rates.