By Maheesha Mudugamuwa The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is planning to call for tenders for the construction of a third liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plant in Kerawalapitiya after finalising the awarding of the most controversial tender to construct the second plant to Lakdhanavi Ltd. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath said the construction of the second 300 MW LNG power plant will begin next month. In the meantime, the CEB will call for tenders for the third LNG power plant in Kerawalapitiya, he said. The Cabinet recently awarded the construction contract to Lakdhanavi, the lowest bidder, overturning a Cabinet decision of the previous Government made just over a year ago, following the withdrawal of a petition filed by Lakdhanavi at the Supreme Court against the original awarding of the contract to Chinese consortium GCL China Windforce and RenewGen. Lakdhanavi filed a petition at the Supreme Court soon after the decision was reached in February last year, as it was the lowest bidder, while GCL was the second lowest. In addition, the CEB is also expediting the construction of another coal power plant at Norochcholai as an extension to the already existing power plant, Eng. Herath said. According to him, once the construction of the new coal power plant is completed, the country will be able to save Rs. 80 million per year. “The unit cost of the coal power plant would be around Rs. 8.50 while the unit cost of a diesel power plant is Rs. 15.27. A 300 MW coal power plant usually generates 1.8 billion units,” he explained.