brand logo

Renewable energy sector urges Govt. to make ‘correct decisions’ to ensure energy security

25 Jan 2022

  • Assures of meeting hike in demand through renewables; notes poor co-operation from authorities
Wind Power Developers’ Association Secretary Manjula Perera requested the Government to make correct decisions at this juncture to ensure energy security in the coming years, and to avoid power crises such as the one Sri Lanka is currently going through.  “We have a number of development plans regarding renewable energy. We request the Government to take correct decisions at least at this point and to provide opportunities for development in this sector. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has enough power plants to meet the current demand but they do not have money to purchase the fuel that is required to run the plants. The only solution to this problem is investing in renewable energy,” Perera claimed, whilst giving the welcome address at a panel discussion on renewable energy held yesterday (25).  He said that wind power, solar power, hydro power, and biomass are the four main commercially viable renewable energy options available in Sri Lanka at the moment.  Noting that there will be a 73% increase in demand for electricity by 2030, Perera said that supplying electricity through these forms of renewable energy does not require any US dollars. “To reach a target of supplying 70% of the national grid with renewable energy, we must focus on providing 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power, and 1,500 MW of biomass and wind power by 2030. With 40% of the electricity supplied with hydro power, the target of 70% can be easily achieved,” he said. The event highlighted measures that could be taken by the Government to aid in the development of the sector.  “One of the main issues which the renewable energy sector faces is the Government approval process which can take years to complete. This process needs to be streamlined and implemented in as efficient a manner as possible. Renewable energy developers also run into a myriad of challenges from the CEB that have delayed approval and grid connections, sometimes attributed to incorrect technical analysis. Therefore, bringing correct knowledge and international best practices to the CEB will smoothen these issues,” the panellists noted in a press release.  Furthermore, they said that the import restrictions imposed on the sector have also made it difficult to develop the sector, and stressed that foreign and local investors who show interest in investing in the sector must be assured that “hindrances will be minimal”. “Only then can Sri Lanka overcome its socio economic woes and continue with development. With the price of oil, coal and gas increasing globally, it is not sustainable for countries such as Sri Lanka which have to import fossil fuel to have larger exposure to non-renewable sources of energy. It is best to make the switch to renewable forms of energy sooner rather than later, so that the country’s economy is not harmed.”  Those representing industries and developers associations involved in small scale hydro power, ground mounted solar power and bio energy including the Small Hydro Power Developers’ Association, the Ground Mounted Solar Developers’ Association, the Bio Energy Developers’ Association and the Solar Industries Association were also present at the said panel discussion.


More News..