The Government is to amend the current Atomic Energy Act with the advice of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to create a favourable atmosphere for the setting up of nuclear power plants in Sri Lanka, said the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB).
When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (27), SLAEB Chairman Prof. S.R.D. Rosa said that the prevailing rules and regulations would only allow the establishment and use of non-power applications and that therefore, the laws must be changed if the Government intends to establish nuclear power stations. He also said that only preliminary discussions were held with the IAEA delegation, adding that the latter will support Sri Lankan authorities to make necessary changes and make new legislations.
Speaking further, he also said that the IAEA would never force the Government on how to make decisions and from where to get support and that therefore, this move will be carried out as an entirely domestic programme. He also said that another discussion was held between the Ministry of Power and Energy, the SLAEB, and certain other economic and financial institutions like the Central Bank to learn how the nuclear sector and related investments can support the economic growth of the country. However, he said that the Government has the authority to decide the future of these proposals to establish power plants.
Several days ago, the subject ministry announced that Sri Lanka will call for expressions of interest in setting up nuclear power plants as it seeks cheap electricity to support its economic recovery. “The Government intends to include the safe use of nuclear energy as a part of long-term generation plans,” Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said in a post on the X social media platform after meeting officials from the IAEA. Earlier, it was reported that Sri Lanka was assessing nuclear power plant offers from Russia, the United States, India, and other European countries.
The primary sources of energy in Sri Lanka are imported oil and coal and hydropower. The Government aims to produce 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and it sees nuclear power as a low-carbon option for its energy mix. It aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.