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Norochcholai coal power project - Agreement to be signed on March 15
Thursday, 9 March 2006 - 3:20 AM SL Time
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The agreement on the much awaited Norochcholai coal power plant will be signed between the Sri Lanka government and the Chinese government on March 15.
A Ministry of Power and Energy official said that the Norochcholai power plant will be built initially to generate 300 MW power which will be developed to supply 900 MW under three phases.
The project will cost nearly Rs.46 billion. Already a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) had been signed between the Sri Lankan and the Chinese Government by the former UPFA government. The MOU had been signed relating to environment and technical studies.
The Bishop of Chilaw Frank Marcus Fernando reiterated his opposition to the building of a coal power plant in Norochcholai site as it will cause endless hardship to the already marginalized people of the area.
A section of the general public also raised objections to the quality of the work in the project since the Chinese government is in charge of the project. They alleged the Chinese followed their own their standards and not International standards.
A Power and Energy ministry official rejecting these charges said that although Chinese government was funding the project, the agreement signed specifically mentioned to build the power plant to International standards.
The agreement also allows CEB to use low sulphur coal imported from a third country.
The Norochcholai coal power plant will be built on 300 acre land. The Power and Energy ministry has drawn up plans to relocate 80 families who will be affected by the project.The ministry said foundation would be laid for the project within first two weeks of April.
Families that are to be relocated will be provided with a house with furniture including a TV set. A kovil, a temple and a church will also be constructed in the scheme. Boats, motor cycles and cycles also will be provided for the families to carry out their day today business.
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