Minister of Power and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera said Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) incurs a daily loss of Rs. 250 million due to the delay in implementing the second stage of the Norochcholai coal power plant.
The Minister instructed the officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the Public Utilities Commission and the Sustainable Energy Authority (CEB) to co-ordinate on the two proposed power generation projects to be implemented this year as well as the power projects due to be launched next year.
At a discussion held at the Ministry of Petroleum Industries on commencing power generation projects, the Minister said if there are shortcomings in the Electricity Act, they will be amended to provide the necessary environment for the commencement of power generation projects.
The Minister noted that the second phase of the Norochcholai power plant as well as the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plant project are due to commence this year. These two power stations will add 600 MW to the national grid. Therefore, the Minister has instructed to start work on the Norochcholai coal power plant first.
He asked the stakeholders in the power sector not to get stuck in the provisions of the National Electricity Act. Agencies responsible for the power generation system should make decisions together not individually, he said.
Minister Amaraweera requested the three agencies to act in the national interest, even if there is criticism.
The Minister said the CEB officials have informed that the power agency incurs a daily loss of Rs. 250 million due to the delay in the construction of the third phase of the Norochcholai coal power plant and the institution is facing a serious problem.
At the request of the Minister, the officials of the three institutions agreed to take joint decisions in future activities.
Senior officials of the CEB, the Sustainable Energy Authority and the Public Utilities Commission participated in the discussion.
