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Kanchana to take Govt. entities solar

21 Sep 2022

  • Rooftop solar panels being installed at P’ment, schools, hospitals, Govt. offices, etc.
  • Says local manufacturing of panels costlier than importation  
BY Safrah Fazal   The Government is looking to convert the Parliament complex, as well as schools, hospitals, and Government offices, to solar power, as a solution to the high electricity costs following the recent electricity tariff hikes. Responding to a query raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition MP Ajith Mannapperuma, who urged Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera to consider installing solar panels in Parliament, which is at present spending Rs. 600,000 on electricity per month, Wijesekera noted that the installation of rooftop solar panels had already commenced at many Government offices and hospitals.  “Not just Parliament; the installation of rooftop solar panels has already commenced in many Government offices and hospitals islandwide, and we hope to complete it by this year. Similarly, all schools under the purview of the Ministry of Education, and all establishments of Provincial Councils (PCs) are making an effort to use solar panels to manage their electricity consumption and to reduce the demand on the national electricity grid,” stated Wijesekera. “As an MP, I too believe that if we are using Rs. 600,000 every month on electricity, we can invest it to procure solar panels for Parliament on an instalment basis. While we can provide the technical support in this regard, we are unable to provide assistance related to the monetary aspect of the project.” While adding that the solution to the energy crisis in the country lies in renewable energy projects, Wijesekera stated that in the effort to implement this solution, Chinese or Indian credit lines may have to be sought due to the shortage in foreign reserves.  “We have no other choice but to go for renewable energy projects. For instance, if someone’s bill is at Rs. 50,000, can use that sum to procure solar panels on an instalment basis. Within the next four to five years, the instalments would be settled. Even if there is a price revision within the next few years, they won't be affected by it.  “But there is a challenge. We don’t have foreign reserves to import solar panels. Solar panels can be imported from India or China, and we are now holding discussions to determine if we can procure solar panels from these countries through a credit line.” Speaking further, Wijesekera also stated that although credit systems through the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the procurement of solar panels were proposed prior to his taking over office, those programmes cannot be implemented in the current context due to the rates of foreign exchange and interest. “There were a number of proposed credit systems from the ADB for the procurement of solar panels. But one credit system had to be restructured, because with the current interest rates and exchange rates, it cannot be implemented. Since we are currently in the process of restructuring our debt with the International Monetary Fund, there is uncertainty as to whether we will receive credit from the ADB.  “However, through the Ministry, we have made a request for credit of $ 250 million. If it goes as expected, we can provide some assistance to places of worship, low-income families, and Government offices. Only through this way can we import solar panels, batteries, and cables, as 99% of the material required for solar power generation will have to be imported.” In response to a question posed by another MP, Wijesekera also stated that while solar panels can be manufactured in the island, the cost for the same will be much higher than that of importation.

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