Program to introduce dendro thermal power

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

The Ministry of Science and Technology launched a programme to introduce dendro thermal energy to cut down on fuel and hydro generated electricity.

The Ministry expects to supply the dendro thermal energy row materials "Gliricidia Saplum" through Vidatha Centres set up throughout the country.

The Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana launched the Dendro Thermal energy project for the industrial sector last week.

Addressing the "Vidatha Centre" officials and the senior officials of the Prime polymers division of Industrial Clothing Ltd. at Seetawaka Industrial Zone at Avissawella, the Minister said that the project will save valuable foreign exchange spent to import furnace oil.

The Prime Polymers - Industrial Clothing factory requires 15,000 litres of furnace oil per day at a cost of Rs. 780,780 to generate electricity.

The Minister said that the Ministry of Power and Energy agreed to pay the same price which is being paid to alternative electricity units.

The Head of the Alternative Energy Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, P. G. Joseph said that four million tonnes of industrial oil worth US $ 250 million are imported to the island annually. The foreign exchange can be saved by cultivating Gliricidia saplum in 35,000 hectares as a minor or main crop, he said.

Our neighbouring countries such as India and China have benefited from biomass energy research and Sri Lanka which also commenced biomass research from 1980 should give due recognition for alternative energy sources such as denropower, he said.

Prime Polymers Division - Industrial Clothing Factory, HR Manager, Henry Fernando, said that his factory will use 45 tonnes of Gliricidia per day to generate the required energy for the factory from March next year.

Director Sonak Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., Sarath Hemachandra said that his company expects to collect one month bufferstock of 'Gliricidia' before the end of February next year through the small scale land owners through the "Vidatha Centre" network organised by the Power and Energy Ministry.

He said that the assistance and the instructions on the use of Gliricidia Saplum Cultivation and sales can be obtained from the "Vidatha Centres". Sonak Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., is the main supplier of Gliricidia Saplum to the factory.