Sri Lanka fully powered by end of 2016

Wednesday, 30 November 2016 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

41,147 households in the country without electricity

Majority of households without electricity in Kurunegala

Kerawalapitiya LNG plant to add 300MW to the national grid

Power Generation

Zone encompassing Norochcholai and Sampur

Power and renewable Energy Deputy Minister Ajith Perera yesterday informed Parliament that all households in Sri Lanka will be supplied with electricity connections by the end of the year.

“To date 99.2% of household units have been given electricity, with only 41,147 households, which is 0.8% of households in the country, to be connected to the grid before 31 December. We started this campaign this year and we have already given electricity to 224728 units during the period,” Perera said.

However, the majority of units without electricity are concentrated in Kurunegala with 7471 units yet to be given supply, the minister admitted, adding that the ministry has paid special attention to that issue. According to him the ministry has incurred Rs. 300,000 per unit to provide electricity.

Answering a question raised by Opposition MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha on the country’s power generation plan to meet the increasing demand, Perera said that the Government is now shifting focus to develop renewable energy. He also said that plans to build two LNG plants are under way.

“The LNG plant in Kerawaralapitiya will add 300MW to the national grid when completed. We have already closed tenders for that. Another LNG plant will be set up in Hambanthota. We have also started the Surya Bala Sangramaya to promote solar power,” he highlighted.

However, the ministry is undecided on what would replace the Sampur coal power plant, with the Government drawing up plans to create a power generating zone in the area, Perera said.

According to the minister, the ministry is planning to submit a solar power generation plan with a proposal to establish 60 power generation plants of 1MW each for Cabinet approval. The Cabinet paper will also seek approval to establish another 100MW solar power plant in Siyabalannduwa, he said. The ministry is also drawing plans to set up more solar and wind power plants as a part of their generation plan to meet increasing demand. The ministry is also promoting generating solar power in domestic units with plans of generating 200MW from rooftop solar panels by 2020. The ministry is targeting power generation to increase to 1000MW in 2025, the minister said, adding that loan schemes to install solar systems in domestic units have been introduced, targeting middle income earners, which can be broadened in the future.