PM opens wind power plant, airs criticism of previous regime

PM Rajapaksa flanked by Ministers Dullus Alahapperuma and Duminda Dissanayake inaugurates Mannar wind power complex

By Ifham Nizam in Mannar

Inaugurating the first major wind power complex in Mannar, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday, said the previous government had been busy taking political revenge at the expense of development projects and the power sector had suffered a setback as a result.

The government was on a mission to generate between 70 and 80 per cent of power from renewable energy sources, the PM said, disclosing that next month, the country’s first LNG power plant and a solar power project would be inaugurated at Kerawalapitiya and Siyambalanduwa respectively.

The PM said that as the President he had pushed for the Mannar wind power plant in 2014 and now he was commissioning it.

 CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath said the wind power plant would contribute to the national grid from yesterday.

“Our next target is to harness balance 200 MW wind potential through the ongoing transmission and grid substation,” he added.

The contract had been awarded through an international tender, and project fully funded by Asian Development Bank, the Chairman added. 

Power and Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, State Minister of Duminda Dissanayake, Fisheries Minister Douglas Devanada and Power and Energy Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera also spoke.