Czech plugs in to boost NE power supply

Saturday, 4 June 2011 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shezna Shums

Renewable energy and the uninterrupted power supply to the country by 2012 is to be reached with the enhancement and improvement of the power grids.

The Government of the Czech Republic is to assist the Sri Lankan government by way of a loan to help enhance and expand the power supply to the north and east of the country. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka met with the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Thomas Dub on Thursday, 3 June 2011 at the Ministry of Power and Energy to discuss this agreement.

The discussions included providing electricity to all by the year 2012, through focusing on various renewable energy sources.

Under this project 30 engineers have been chosen to receive training on nuclear energy.

It was further discussed at this meeting to do away with expensive energy sources and focus on low cost renewable energy sources such as bio fuel and natural gas.

The Czech foreign affairs deputy minister pledged a loan of 30 million euros for the development of the north eastern transmission network.

The areas to be developed with the setting up of new grid sub stations will be in Moneragala, Polonnaruwa and Paththirippuwa.

This loan by the Government of the Czech Republic will help to build transmission grids in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka by helping to utilise alternative sources of energy.

The Euros 30 million loan will also help in improving the energy transmission as well as to build new grid sub stations within the existing network in the province.

This upgrade falls under the governments plans to have uninterrupted power supply to people by the year 2012.

The government plans on moving away from expensive sources of energy and invest towards rejuvenating power sources such as solar power, bio gas and power from natural fuel generators.

This investment between both countries will also help in improving relations between Sri Lanka and the Czech Republic, which aspect was also discussed at last week’s meeting.

The Ambassador of the Czech Republic Miloslav Stasek; the Deputy in charge of Sri Lankan operations Andrea Kucerova; Additional Secretary to the Power and energy Ministry T.M. Herath; Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority Dr. Kithsiri Dissanayake; Chairman of the Atomic Energy Authority Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickrema and Director -Technical, of the Ministry of Power and Energy M.G. Gunatillake also participated at this discussion.