February 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move aimed at improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s electricity generation, the government has announced plans to establish a dedicated laboratory for testing the quality standards of coal used in thermal power plants.
The facility will be housed within the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), marking a crucial step towards self-sufficiency in coal quality testing for the nation’s power sector.
The decision was made following a series of productive discussions between Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Minister of Science and Technology, and Eng. Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Energy.
The establishment of the laboratory comes at a time when coal, as an essential imported resource, plays a pivotal role in the country’s thermal power generation.
At present, Sri Lanka does not have a dedicated domestic laboratory to carry out tests on the quality of the imported coal, and such assessments are instead conducted in overseas laboratories.
This not only incurs additional costs but also leads to delays in obtaining critical data necessary for the efficient operation of power plants.
The new laboratory will serve as a key facility in ensuring that the coal imported for electricity generation meets the required standards for efficiency and safety.
By conducting these essential quality checks locally, the country is set to reduce its reliance on foreign laboratories, ultimately lowering costs and improving the turnaround time for test results.
The laboratory is expected to be operational in the near future and will play a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka’s energy sector, ensuring that the coal used in power plants is of the highest quality and suitable for efficient energy production.
