Awarding of tender for power plant delayed due to differing opinions

The awarding of a tender for a 300MW dual fuel power plant at Kerawalapitiya has been put on hold after differences surfaced between the Tender Board and the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) over who should be awarded the tender.

Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. B. M. S. Batagoda said the matter will be referred to the Cabinet to decide on the next step. “I will make my recommendations and submit it to the Cabinet for the final decision,” Mr. Batagoda said.

The international tender was floated in February to set up the combined cycle power plant powered by dual fuel, initially diesel fuel or heavy oil fuel, and then re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) at a future date when it is available, at the boundary of the site at Kerawalapitiya in the Gampaha District.

The project is to be developed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis by private sector participation. The operation period, before transferring the facility to the CEB, is 20 years.

Meanwhile Cabinet this week approved the establishment of two liquid natural gas 500MW power plants to be set up by the Japanese and Indian governments. A joint proposal for the projects was made by Minister, Power and Renewable Energy, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Minister, Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrema.