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Renewable energy generation: Pressure mounts on meeting targets

18 Jul 2021

  • Plan to meet renewable energy targets by 2030 in the making
  • CEB’s failure to support govt. policy questioned
  • Diesel and coal mafia blamed for delays in renewable energy
By Maheesha Mudugamuwa President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his election manifesto “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, set a target of 70% of the country’s electricity generation through renewable energy sources by 2030. The President’s renewable energy targets have faced a hurdle, as experts claim that achieving 70% of the country’s electricity generation by renewable energy sources by 2030 was not practical. However, as reported by The Sunday Morning last week, the President has recently reiterated his stance on renewable energy and is said to have even increased the clean energy target to 90%, including 70% of renewable energy. Many hurdles to cross Despite the opposition, a plan to achieve 70% of renewable energy is currently being prepared by the State Minister of Solar, Wind, and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development, together with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), which would be hopefully completed by Monday (19), according to Secretary to the State Ministry Hemantha Samarakoon. But prior to execution, the renewable energy plan should be included into the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Long-Term Energy Generation Plan and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). In addition, the Minister of Power should gazette the 70% renewable energy quota so that the plan could then be approved and executed. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Samarakoon explained: “We are preparing the renewable energy plan to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030 based on the instructions given by the President. This plan is being prepared for the next 10 years and we will be keeping space for any amendments, if the set goal cannot be achieved during that period.” Explaining further, the State Ministry Secretary noted that once the plan was prepared, the CEB should prepare the distribution, transmission, and other related plans accordingly. “Only after completing all this can we implement the plan. But we have already commenced several mega renewable energy projects. While the plan is being approved, we will be going ahead with already committed projects and already planned future renewable energy projects,” he added. When queried further on the exact ratio of renewable energy and clean energy that would be included in the Ministry’s plan, Samarakoon stressed that the Ministry considered liquefied natural gas (LNG) as clean energy but not renewable energy, and therefore, 70% would be from renewable energy and 20% would be from clean energy. “We are making plans based on that ratio,” he added. Against govt. policy Even though instructions were given by President Rajapaksa in 2019 to go ahead to achieve the 70% renewable energy by 2030, the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan for 2020-2039 has highlighted that the latest general policy guidelines for the electricity industry (as issued in April 2019) requires non-conventional renewable energy, referred to as ORE (other renewable energy) in the report, to be developed to the optimum levels to diversify generation mix and to minimise dependence on imported resources. “It requires ORE resources to be promoted based on a priority order arrived at, considering resource potential, economics, the maturity of the technology, and quality of supply. The first three ORE resources in this priority order are identified as mini-hydro, wind, and solar, followed by other ORE resources. The policy guidelines also highlight the need to progress with the vision to achieve 50% of electricity generated from renewable sources (under favourable weather conditions) by 2030,” the expansion plan states. However, renewable energy experts questioned as to why the CEB is not supporting government policies and deviating to achieve its targets of coal and diesel energy, claiming the country needs more firm energy. Responding to the alleged diesel and coal mafias in the sector, State Ministry Secretary Samarakoon stressed that his ministry was facing several challenges due to the diesel and coal demand within the sector. “We hope we will be able to face new challenges. It’s high time, as we look to transform renewable energy and firm energy using battery power, to install daytime solar energy and seasonal wind energy,” he added. Adopting emerging technologies Elaborating further, Samarakoon said: “One of the main concerns raised by the engineers is the unsustainability of receiving solar and wind power during the whole year. They say solar is available during the day and the wind is available only in seasons. But we should find a solution to store that energy to use when the source is not available. This is why we have batteries to save energy. “We can’t depend on diesel and coal in the future. Also, it affects our exports, as countries are now concerned about carbon emission.” As per the CEB’s Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan, the Sri Lankan power system has maintained a 30-60% share of renewable energy throughout the recent years. The share of ORE-based generation at present is 11% of the total energy generation in the country and its contribution is expected to increase in the future. Accordingly, at the end of 2018, the total renewable energy capacity reached 2,009 MW, which includes 1,399 MW of major hydro and 610 MW of other renewable energy. The 610.4 MW of ORE power plants have been connected to the national grid and the total comprises 393.5 MW of mini-hydro, 128.5 MW of wind, 51.4 MW of solar PV, and 37.1 MW of biomass-based generation. In addition, the rooftop solar PV capacity, with a total of 170 MW, that is embedded at the consumer end is also achieving notable growth in its contribution. According to the CEB’s expansion plan, in the long term, the total ORE capacity is to increase from 1,245 MW in 2020 to 4,330 MW by 2039, and the total capacity of major hydro resources is expected to increase by 225 MW in the first five years, with the completion of ongoing hydropower projects, and will remain at the same level afterwards. It is further stated that the total ORE capacity will increase to 2,700 MW by 2030. Allegations against CEB Meanwhile, allegations have been levelled against CEB engineers, claiming that the entire renewable energy process had been delayed for more than two years due to the lack of support given by them. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Solar Industries Association (SIA) Secretary Lakmal Fernando alleged that the coal and diesel mafia is behind the whole delay in the process. “Instead of supporting the government policy on developing the renewable energy sector, the CEB is discouraging it and going ahead with their own plans,” he stressed. However, in a backdrop where the policies are being made and discussed, the State Minister of Solar, Wind, and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development is preparing to call for tenders for the construction of a 100 MW solar power park in Siyambalanduwa. “We are completing the paperwork and we will be able to go for tenders within the next few months,” State Ministry Secretary Samarakoon said. He also noted that another 20 MW wind power plant would be added to the Mannar Wind Farm and that steps are being taken to develop the Pooneryn project as well. “We have almost completed the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded rooftop solar power project, as we utilise around $ 48 million, and we are planning to top up the project by seeking another $ 50 million as the next stage of the project,” he explained. Furthermore, the State Ministry is waiting for the Indian consultant to arrive in the country to go ahead with a $ 100 million Indian Credit Line solar power project. When queried about the solar power rates, Samarakoon stressed that there was a proposal from the CEB, stating that the present solar power rates are high and when going for tendering, solar power can be purchased at around Rs. 12 a unit. “We are offering Rs. 22 at present and we have not decided to reduce that amount, as it would affect the industry. Instead of cutting down the rates, we should encourage the industry,” he added. Attempts to contact the CEB Chairman, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, and Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera were futile.


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