The Sobadhanavi 350 MW combined cycle power plant in Kerawalapitya was launched during a ceremony on Wednesday, attended by officials from the government, LTL, Sobadhanavi, Lakdhanavi, and others.
LTL’s Sobadhanavi owns the power plant built and operated by its sister company Lakdhanavi.
The first phase of the project includes a gas turbine providing 220 MW.
According to Lakdhanavi, this F-Class gas turbine will be able to receive hydrogen in the future as well.
Moreover, the second phase includes and a 130 MW steam turbine and Lakdhanavi expects to complete this phase by February 2025.
Sri Lanka’s CEB previously entered into a long-term power purchase agreement for the 350 MW LNG power plant.
LTL’s unit has also been selected to develop a second LNG power plant at the same location with a capacity of 350 MW, and plans to start construction in 2025.
Deal with India’s Petronet LNG
India’s largest LNG importer Petronet LNG recently signed a memorandum of understanding with LTL to supply the latter with LNG.
Petronet will supply LNG to the Sobadhanavi plant.
The duo have agreed to develop an LNG supply chain from Petronet’s LNG import terminal in Kochi to Kerawalapitiya in a “time bound manner”, Petronet said.
Also, Petronet said the proposed supply of LNG from the Kochi LNG terminal would be through LNG ISO tank containers involving a multi-modal transport system.
“The initial term of LNG supply would be 5 years, which is extendable subject to mutual agreement,” Petronet said.
Petronet did not provide further information.
The company is currently expanding its 17.5 mtpa Dahej LNG terminal with about 5 mtpa of new capacity, while its Kochi LNG terminal in Kerala has a capacity of 5 mtpa.
However, the Kochi terminal is currently operating at about 20 percent capacity due to lack of connectivity.
Petronet expects the Kochi-Bangalore pipeline to be completed by the end of this year or by the end of March next year and this will substantially boost the utilization of the facility.
