Construction of windshield for Norochcholai by July 2019

Saturday, 8 September 2018 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Laugfs Engineering and Sanken given contract in Feb.

Construction of the windshield at the Norochcholai Lakvijaya power plant is expected to finish by July 2019, establishing a barrier preventing the farmers living in the areas surrounding the power plant from being effected from coal dust and ash.

In 2016 alone, the Government has borne a cost of Rs. 12.7 million for compensating effected farmers. The windshield, which is expected to be 1,600m long, 15m in height and 5m in width, is expected to cost Rs. 483.7 million.

According to the Government, the tender was awarded to Laugfs Engineering Ltd. and Sanken Constructions Ltd. for a joint venture in February this year.

Responding to a question yesterday in Parliament, the State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Ajith Perera stated the potential of coal ash, which is widely used in other industries.

“We were able to sell coal ash to several buyers since March. Certain buyers carry 246 metric tons to 360 metric tons of coal ash per day away from the Norochcholai Lakvijaya power plant. Another company has come forward to use ash to manufacture a specialised brick by the end of this month. The Norochcholai Lakvijaya power plant has an environmental certificate obtained in June 2016, and this permit has expired in June 2017. Even though it was submitted for renewal, the Provincial Central Environmental Authority is yet to take action,” State Minister Perera said. (AH)