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Four standby power plants to cushion Norochcholai breakdown
View(s):By Damith Wickremasekara
The Government is to set up four power plants on urgent basis to overcome a short fall of power supplies during breakdowns of the Lakvijaya power plant in Norochcholai, a senior official said. Power and Renewable Energy Ministry Secretary B.M.S. Batagoda said Cabinet had approved the proposal to set up three gas power plants of 35 Mw each in the Trincomalee harbour area at a cost of Rs. 100 million each and international bids would be invited shortly.
He said moves were also underway to set a fourth power plant operated by diesel or gas to generate 400 Mw of power. “These will be standby facilities to be used in the event of the breakdown of the Lakvijaya plant or to meet peak hour demand,” he said.
Dr. Batagoda said these power plants would be owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and therefore it would not have to buy power from the private sector. It would be a economically beneficial to the CEB. During this year alone the Lakvijaya power plant has broken down at least three times forcing the imposition of power cuts.