Economic growth through proper energy mix

by Thava Sajitharan

'Money from proper oil savings will be adequate to finance non-conventional renewable energy projects such as small hydro, biomass and wind electric generation which would suffice 10% of the electricity requirement of the country', an analyst pointed out at the 11th Annual General Meeting of the Moratuwa University Electrical Engineering Society (EESoc) held at the HNB Tower Auditorium in Colombo last evening.

Many professional in the energy industry were present on the occasion. The chancellor of the University Dr. Ray Wijewardane was the Guest of Honour.

A panel discussion on the theme "Economic Growth through Proper Energy Mix' took place after the address by the Vice Chancellor.

Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, one of the panelists who is also the Director of the Resource Management Associates stressed in his speech that small scale electricity projects needed to be encouraged to face the challenge ahead in the future.

The need to move towards energy sources such as coal in order to reduce the average generation cost was emphasised during the panel discussion.

The panel, headed by Prof. Priyantha Wijayatunga, Director General, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka comprised Dr. Ranjith Fonseka, General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board, Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya, P. G. Joseph, Director, Alternative Energy Unit, Ministry of Science and Technology and Asoka Abeygunawardana.