Cabinet nod for new coal and LNG power plants

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved two new 300MW coal-fired plants in Norochcholai and two 300MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in Kerawalapitiya amid serious concerns over an impending power crisis.

Accordingly, Cabinet Co-Spokesperson and Information & Communications Technology, Higher Education, Technology & Innovations Minister Bandula Gunawardane yesterday revealed that two new 300 MW coal power plants will be built as an extension to the existing Norochcholai coal power plant.

The former Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake initially brought the proposal last year to add a 300MW coal power plant to the Norochcholai facility with a loan from China. 
The Cabinet this week granted approval to expand the Norochcholai facility adding another 300MW coal power plant to the existing facility.

The Cabinet also approved the installation of an LNG (bi-sectorial natural gas plant) with a capacity of 300MW as a joint venture with Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India /Japan in Kerawalapitiya.

It was also decided to accelerate the construction of another 300MW LNG power plant proposed to be constructed in the Kerawalapitiya area with Asian Development Bank (ADB) funds. Further, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to implement US$100 million worth solar power projects funded by the Indian government.