NEW ENERGY IN SRI LANKA

Potential for renewable energy in Sri Lanka
Dulip Jayawardena, October 31, 2010 (The Business Times)

"With steady economic growth, the demand for energy is of paramount importance…for a developing country like Sri Lanka…[A] national energy policy…[should identify] a sustainable energy mix keeping in mind the various growth sectors specially industry and services.

"The Central Bank of Sri Lanka in its 2009 Annual Report has given the total installed capacity of the Power Sector as 2683 Mega Watts (MW) with hydro power 1345 MW thermal 1285 MW, wind 3 MW and others including solar 12 MW…[T]wo coal power plants [are under construction]…[H]ydro power and wind which are considered as renewable sources, account for 1288 MW…During periods of prolonged drought the generation of power is severely curtailed…"

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"…Sri Lanka has not initiated a comprehensive study related to the potential of wind energy…Wind power projects have high upfront costs and it is expected that predominantly the private sector will be interested to invest as Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) or Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) after recouping the capital investment with a reasonable profit margin.

"Feasibility studies for establishing wind farms will take into consideration the land [and offshore areas] where turbines can be deployed…In order to carry out a techno-economic feasibility study in assessment of wind power potential in Sri Lanka, it is suggested that the Ministry of Energy should establish close contact with the [Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)]and [Centre for Wind Technology (CWET)] in India...[T]here is a potential of around 90 GW for power generation from different renewable energy sources in [Sri Lanka] - 48.5 GW of wind power 14.3 GW of small hydro power and 26.4 GW of biomass…"

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"As regards to solar energy it must be stressed that the major raw material is silica quartz of high purity with over 99 % SiO2. High purity silica quartz is available in many parts of Sri Lanka…[It] has excellent chemical and physical properties for manufacture of solar panels…It is proposed that the Government should impose a moratorium on exports of silica quartz until the feasibility of producing solar panels is undertaken with foreign collaboration…

"In conclusion the Government should consider the formulation of a comprehensive Energy Policy for Sri Lanka with the main objective of an identified energy mix that could be sustainable and economically feasible."