Govt. to invest in diversified power generation

The Government would be hoping to go for a diversified power generation solution with the introduction of duel natural air technology and nuclear power, Parliament was told yesterday.

Minister of Power and Energy Pavithra Wanniarachchi, who was speaking during the committee stage debate on the budget, said that the contribution of non-traditional power generation methods would be increased to 10 per cent in 2016 which would increase to 20 per cent by the year 2020.

She said that the country would quickly move towards coal power after the 500mw Sampur power plant became fully operational in 2018. She said this would be operated in a manner which was favourable towards Sri Lanka. This she said was in addition to the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant which was expected to generate 900MW. The Minister said the feasibility study for the third coal power plant was currently being done.

In addition the country’s first wind power plant which was expected to generate 353 MW of power would be built in Mannar this year. The Minister said that the commercial wastage of power production and generation would be reduced to 14 per cent in 2016 which would be reduced to 12 per cent in 2020. “Financial manage- ment skills would also be improved in order to reduce losses,” she further pointed out.

Ms. Wanniarachchi said the country had made considerable progress in the power sector as 95 per cent of the households in the country are enjoying an uninterrupted power supply at the moment. This she said was a great achievement as only 75 per cent of the country’s households had power in 2005.