Kanchana reassures no coal shortage amidst claims

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday reassured there will be no shortage of coal to operate the 900 MW Norochcholai power plant amidst the recent speculations by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the media.

Taking to twitter, he shared a detailed breakdown of how many stocks of coal cargo required for the power plant to operate, asserting that the required stocks have been procured.

“The 23rd stock of cargo is currently unloading and the 24, 25 and 26 stocks have arrived at Puttalam and are waiting to be unloaded,” he said.

Minister Wijesekera also said the 27th - 29th cargos have been nominated and will arrive before 1 May, whilst the 30th stock of coal cargo is due to be nominated, and is scheduled to arrive in the first week of May.

He noted that 30 stocks of coal cargo are needed to operate the Norochcholai Power Plant at full capacity, as per the generation forecast by the CEB for the upcoming season.