Hemas Power boosts national supply
Hemas Power has, since its launch in 2003, supplied local consumption
through both its joint venture thermal power plant in Puttalam and its
hydro power plant in Teldeniya in its efforts to supplement the national
demand for power,
Following Hemas Group's initial foray into the power generation
sector via its JV investment in Heladhanavi and the success of its power
plant, the Group further explored opportunities in the area of
mini-hydro power generation. This saw the commissioning of its
first-ever hydro power plant in Teldeniya in October 2008.
Managing Director at Hemas Power Kishan Nanayakkara said, "Hemas
initially entered the power generation industry at a critical time, when
the Government of Sri Lanka actively encouraged private sector
participation in power generation in the face of the country's rapidly
increasing demand for energy coupled with the GOSL's own inability to
effectively meet this demand".
"Non-Conventional Renewable Energy (NCRE) sources such as small scale
hydropower, wind and biomass are on the rise, with wider awareness on
the minimisation of the carbon footprint of the country and the
intention to reduce dependence on imported fuel-based power plants.
Although the potential for medium scale hydro power projects might be
limited due to environmental constraints, opportunities for small scale
hydro, wind and biomass plants are considerable", he said.
The National Energy Policy of Sri Lanka has identified fuel diversity
and energy security in electricity generation as a strategic objective.
The development of NCRE projects was part of the strategy. According to
the National Energy Policy, the target is to generate 10% of country's
energy out put through NCRE sources by 2015.
The National Energy Policy also outlines plans to set up a special
"Energy Fund" to provide incentives to promote NCRE technology and thus
strengthen the transmission network. With this in view, the GoSL
recently obtained a USD 160 million long term loan from the ADB to
support energy efficiency improvements, develop the use of renewable
energy and increase connections and services to rural households.
Sri Lanka's small hydro power sector has today evolved into a
sizeable industry. As of 30 June 2009 a total of 81 NCRE projects have
been supplying 164MW to the national grid. Of this 76 small hydropower
projects accounts for a 153MW of installed capacity representing 93% of
the NCRE sector.
"There still is a sizeable area of unexplored NCRE opportunities. On
the other hand opportunities in the wind and bio-mass front are hardly
tapped. Although the country's best small hydropower sites have already
been developed, we believe there are still a few sites with reasonably
good hydrological properties available for development. All of this
undoubtedly point to interesting times ahead for the development of
non-conventional renewable energy in the country", Nanayakkara added.
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