Colombo inks deal with New Delhi for Sampur coal power station in Trinco

Tuesday, 8 October 2013 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Colombo and New Delhi inked a deal for the proposed Sampur coal power station in Trincomalee yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. The Ceylon Electricity Board signed the agreement on behalf of Sri Lanka while the National Thermal power Corporation signed on behalf of India. Five agreements were signed related to the Sampur Coal power project including a power purchase agreement and a coal supply agreement.

The initial discussions to initiate the Sampur power project occurred during the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India in 2005. The Sampur coal power station is expected to contribute a power capacity of 500 MW to the National Grid. The total cost of this project is estimated at US$ 512 million. The project will commence within a year from the date of the agreement and is expected to be completed by 2018. The power station will comprise two 250 MW power generators. The administrative functions related to the Sampur power station will be managed by the Trincomalee Power Company, a joint venture between the CEB and India’s National Thermal power Corporation.