50.6% of the country’s requirement came from Thermal Energy in 2006. The Private Power Producers (IPPs) generated 3081 GWh or 32.8% of the energy requirement of the country.

First stage of the 3 x 300 Mw coal fired power plant, consisting of a 300 MW generating unit and infrastructure facilities for the total 900 MW plant will be constructed under Puttalam Coal Power Project at Norochcholai in Puttalam District. The contract was awarded to China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation (CMEC), a Chinese Government owned company. CEB signed the contract with CMEC in the presence of the His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka and the His Excellency the Ambassador of China at a cost of US$ 455 million in March 2006. His Excellency the President ceremonially inaugurated the Project at site in May 2006. Preliminary works for the Project, namely acquisition of land required for construction of power plant, resettlement site and Employers’ housing complex, improvements to access roads, and construction of houses for the families to be resettled and the electricity supply schemes for the villages around the Project site were being done during the year.

270 MW furnace oil fired combined cycle power plant will be available for commercial operation in September 2008. This plant will be constructed by West Coast Power (Pvt) Limited on BOOT basis.

The forecast made by the CEB on the growth of electricity demand in the country projects a growth between 7 to 8 percent in the next decade. Due to rapid growth in some sectors of industry and the accelerated efforts in electrification the growth in a particular year may increase but it is likely to remain as predicted over a longer period of time.

More Information www.ceb.lk