Sustainable energy program to be strengthened

L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The sustainable energy program will be strengthened to meet the country’s energy requirements, said Chairman Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SSEA), Dr. Chrishanta Deheragoda.

He said that the national grid would not be able to supply the country’s total electricity requirement in future.

Sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power had to be exploited to bill the 10 percent gap in the total electricity requirement.

It is estimated that around 400,000 households in the country will need sustainable energy in 2016. (Most of the countries including USA, India, Malaysia, Holland, Australia have already supplemented their national grid with solar energy.

Sri Lanka cannot depend entirely on conventional sources, such as large- scale hydro or coal power, he said.

SSEA has identified a number of villages which are to be supplied with sustainable energy. On a directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Madulla Galgamuwa, a remote village in Moneragala district will be illuminated with solar power, a spokesman for SSEA said.

Following the discussion President Mahinda Rajapaksa had with Indian Authorities at the SAARC meeting in Colombo, the Indian government donated the equipment and accessories for the Madulla Solar Power Project, expected to supply power to 50 street lamps and 300 houses, he said.

The SSEA is committed to continue the solar power program for the benefit of rural areas, he said.