No decision yet on 4th Coal Power Plant: Amaraweera

Power, Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today the government is yet to take a final decision on constructing a fourth coal power plant at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) in Puttalam.

He said the government would fully review, and consider all concerns and suggestions before going ahead with a decision on the plant.

The minister told a media conference that what the Power and Energy Ministry had done so far was to call for a full Environment Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) on the proposed 300 MW coal power plant.

“I am yet to submit a Cabinet paper on this project or open discussions with any local or foreign investors. I do not know why certain environmentalists, energy experts, clergy and the public have raised concerns about the project,” he said.

He said the fourth coal power plant at Norochocholai would not be built without addressing the concerns of all stakeholders and pointed out that if Sri Lanka was to prevent a power crisis, the country would have to depend on 30% of fossil or coal power by 2030 because our renewable or green energy capacity is only 70%.

“The Power and Energy Ministry has been able to avoid buying emergency power from the private sector at Rs.40 per unit though Cabinet approval has been obtained to do so. The CEB has managed to provide electricity round the clock using hydro, mini hydro, coal, wind and solar power bought at an affordable price. This has also helped reduce CEB’s losses to Rs.70 billion from Rs.82 billion,” the minister said. By Sandun A. Jayasekera