Govt. banks on renewable energy to power Sri Lanka

Gearing up to face a possible energy shortage in two years, the Government has shifted its focus from large scale power plants to renewable energy generation. 

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday informed Parliament the recent ratification of Paris Convention on Climate Change will only allow constructing and operation of environmental friendly power plants forcing countries to look at renewable energy.

Revealing the Government plans to boost renewable energy generation at different scales Prime Minister said: “The political manifesto of President Maithripala Sirisena provides a clear framework, which is followed by the Government to introduce a new energy policy. A complete study is underway with JICA assistance.”

 A special committee appointed under the leadership of Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne is studying the possibilities of using LNG power plants in Sri Lanka. Once these studies are completed the Government will come out with its long-term generation plan for Sri Lanka for the period 2017 – 2036, the Prime Minister noted.

According to the PM, all nations have programs to meet the renewable energy targets. But no country has fully met these targets. 

“Government attention is now on the renewable energy sector to cater to the growing demand for power. The energy crisis predicted in 2018-19 is a serious issue for us. The Government also encourage renewable energy generation. Establish solar power generation at 1 million households will generate an electricity surplus, which will be sold to the Electricity Board.” 

 In addition, the Ministry will establish a 100MW solar power generation plant, a wind power generator with a capacity of 375MW in Mannar, and also took action to encourage small scale renewable power generation plants in the country.

“Currently, there are issues approving the private sector plans to generate renewable energy. We accept the fact the small renewable generators are important in an era where electricity could be generated at the household level,” he explained. (AH)