Sri Lanka has managed to secure 240,000 MT of coal, which will be sufficient till early January next year, The Sunday Morning learns.
It is understood that full payments have been made for four shipments, which have been unloaded.
Another 29 shipments are scheduled to supply coal for the country’s only coal power plant in Norochcholai till next April, it is learnt. Four of the 29 shipments are expected to arrive in December.
It is learnt that the daily coal requirement of the country at present is 5,000 MT, with only two generators in operation.
“We have sufficient coal until January next year. The third generator is currently being repaired and the second generator has been added to the system following the months-long major overhaul,” Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon told The Sunday Morning, speaking on the current status of the coal power plant.
Responding to a query on whether the finances for the pending coal shipments had been secured, the CEB Chairman said the payments would be made as planned and necessary arrangements had been put in place together with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
“We don’t have an issue with coal and a plan has already been prepared to provide electricity next year, especially during the dry season, including the management of hydropower generation,” he added.
The Norochcholai (Lakvijaya) Power Plant contributes 900 MW to the national grid, which is around 40% of the country’s total energy demand.
Meanwhile, Lanka Coal Company (LCC) recently closed the tender inviting bids for the term tender. The company invited the contractors for the supply of 2,250,000 MT ±10% to the Lakvijaya Power Plant from October 2022 to April 2024 with a minimum of 180 days’ credit facility.
The tender was an open tender unlike the previously-submitted tender where the bids were invited only from the registered suppliers.
However, attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact LCC General Manager Namal Hewage regarding the status of the tender proved futile.
( Curtesy Sunday Morning)