Maximise use of hydro, solar and wind power - Minister Ranawaka

by Surekha Galagoda

There will be no shortage of electricity until 2020 and a plan will be introduced for the next decade to ensure that there will be no shortage” said Power and Energy minister Patali Champika Ranawaka addressing a seminar themed Power Plans 2011 and Beyond’.

He said that a new management system will be introduced next year to CEB and the Ministry of Power and Energy to reduce expenditure by Rs 15 bln and make the two institutions efficient.

Bonuses and salaries will depend on the balance score card system which ensures that efficient workers will earn a higher salary and bonus. The 5S system and ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 will be implemented next year and the five year action plan will commence.

He said that his main aim is to make the power sector financially viable while offering affordable and fair price electricity to the consumer. Net metering will be introduced for high end users and SMEs will be given special concessions.

The ministry is also planning to introduce smart meters within the next two years. It is an advanced meter that records consumption at hourly intervals and communicates the information daily so that consumers are aware of how much electricity is being consumed.

In addition the ministry will support the establishment of Janabalaya electricity consumers’ associations so that a healthy discussion is created among the consumer policy formulators and staff.

Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka will transform to an energy hub. Due to oil prices increasing globally there was a severe shock in 2008.

At present we are experiencing an energy peak globally, therefore Sri Lanka has decided to develop its own energy sources to face the future crisis based on the triple E concept (Energy, Economy, and Environment).

Under this concept quality electricity will be provided uninterruptedly at cost effective tariffs.

It will also provide optimum economic benefits while decisions will be taken based on the Triple E concept to protect the environment.

A total 85 percent of the population in the country has been provided electricity. It is 100 percent in the western province.

To provide power to the rest of the households each household will be given a loan of Rs 30,000 on concessionary terms while Rs 250 mln has been allocated for the project.

Already 2,400 rural electrification programs are in place while plans are under way to start 10,000 village micro hydro power projects, and 150,000 projects involving solar biomass and mini hydro power projects.

Minister Ranawaka said that at present 86 percent of economic activities are based on fossil fuels. After 2015 oil production will reduce and by 2050 oil will not be a economically viable energy source.

We in Sri Lanka should be ready to face the challenge by maximising the use of hydro, solar and wind power to be used as energy sources. Although we are a country blessed with sunlight all year round, we hardly use this source, said the minister.