Assuring the nation an uninterrupted power supply throughout the year at an affordable price, Minister said: “We have prepared these plans with the intension of meeting the current and the future electricity demand. There are no hidden agendas. We need to further strengthen the Ceylon Electricity Board. This is not the initial step to of privatising the CEB or a part of it. I have the Government support to execute these plans.”
Having established an emergency management committee and recommissioning a retired General Manager to keep a tab on electrical system maintenance Minister also plans to connect all types of generators to the grid. “We will start maintaining adequate fuel stocks. ACE Power Embilipitiya, Heladanavi in Puttalam, and ACE Power Matara will be bought. We will purchase power from private sector held generators during the forthcoming drought. A natural gas driven power station will be established in Kerawalapitiya or in Hambantota. Government will sign an agreement with Qatar to purchase natural gas. A separate power station operational from furnace oil and natural gas will be established either in Galle Port or Hambantota,” added Minister.
Government also plans to fast-track the construction and the commissioning of Morogolla Hydropower Station (31Mw), Broadlands Hydropower Station (35Mw), Uma Oya Hydropower Station (120Mw), and Seethawaka Hydropower Station (20Mw). “We will appoint a Cabinet Sub-committee to look into the Sampur Coal Power Plant. We will re-plan the transmission network. An island wide renewable energy parks will be established. Initially 12 parks will be established in Mannar, Punarine, Wadamarachchi, Mualithuvu, and Kokilai. Net metering system will be introduced to 1 million domestic consumers where 1,000 Mw will be added to the network. We will try to reduce the number of days taken to recommission the Norochcholai Power Station after a sudden trip-off,” added Minister Siyambalapitiya.
Looking at the national demand for electricity and the capacity Minister also confirmed the Parliament that 199 power generators are there in the country capable of generating 3,932Mws. “There are 17 large scale hydropower stations, six fuel powered power stations, one coal powered power station, one wind powered power station under state ownership. The private sector commands 14 small hydro power stations owned by the private sector, six fuel powered power stations, 15 wind powered power stations, and nine different power stations including solar,” confirmed Minister. (AH)
