• Energy Minister says initiative will be executed in two steps of converting rooftops to solar, and by offering provisional approvals for proposed projects immediately 
• Large-scale projects will be accommodated after technical and financial evaluation
• Hints electricity tariffs will triple with proposed changes 
• Asserts fuel bill for thermal power generation has exceeded $ 100 m per month

The Government will launch a  rapid renewable energy generation plan from 1 June, in a bid to overcome the energy crisis.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijes-ekara yesterday revealed these plans, which will be executed in two quick steps which include; conversion of rooftops to solar panels and by extending immediate nod to provisional approval for proposed renewable energy proposals. 

In addition to the two quick steps, Minister Wijesekara said large-scale investments for selected renewable projects will be accommodated after technical and financial evaluation.

State sector buildings including hospitals, industries, hotels and other roof space available will be promoted to fix solar panels. 

Noting that electricity tariff rate changes have been proposed, he revealed that the existing electricity bill will “triple” in most of the above sectors.  In this context, Minister Wijesekara believes companies and individuals can invest the existing electricity bill amount on solar panels, to be paid monthly to the solar companies in a bid to lessen the burden on their institutes and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) grid.

He said it will create adequate support to the CEB in terms of managing the hydro and thermal power plants to be used during the night time which will reduce the generation cost.

Minister Wijesekara also said provisional approvals (PA) will be granted immediately for proposed projects. 

Pointing that rates need to be revised reasonably, he said once PA is issued investors must work with CEB and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) for transmission line and grid capacity. The required investment will be made by the investor, which will speed up the project timeline. 

The Minister pointed out that the fuel bill for thermal power generation has exceeded $ 100 million per month, while the average cost per unit generation has increased to Rs. 48. 

Govt. nod for private sector fuel import