Two Wind Power Plants in Puttalam, Sri Lanka

14th June 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Indunil Hewage

Rs 4.3 billion has been invested in two wind power projects in the Puttalam district.

Seguwantivu Wind Power and Vidatamunai Wind Power Chief Executive Officer Manjula Perera said two investments relating to wind power sector have been undertaken up to now.

Apart from Seguwantivu and Vidatamunai plants they managed to start two wind power plants of 10 megawatts each in Mullipuram.

Many countries in the world plan to alter their existing power generation methods to renewable energy sources in the face of global warming which affects the whole world,” he said. Perera said there is potential for renewable energy sources especially in the wind power sector in the country and these sectors should be tapped well.

He said the country should be able to develop at least 500 megawatts in the next five years.

Private sector in the country has been allowed to generate renewable energy sources in mid 1990. The corporate sector was also able to invest in the mini hydro industry in the country. Same is applied to wind power sector and the investments which have been undertaken so far, by Sri Lankan corporate investors. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of USA in 2003 conducted a comprehensive study on the wind potential for Sri Lanka.

According to their study, it has been revealed that the potential of wind power in the country is more than 20,000 megawatts.

Investors are not in a position to generate this much power supply due to many restrictions.

Around 70 companies have ventured into the mini hydro industry. Perera expressed confidence that many investors will venture into wind power if appropriate policies are adopted. Apart from wind power, Ginisiria is considered as one of the effective renewable energy sources in Sri Lanka.

Wood chips of Ginisiria will be burnt to generate power. This will immensely benefit rural people.

Wind power plants need a fair amount of land during the development stage. The Government is in possession of most of these lands.

Related Info:
Sustainable Energy Authority - Wind Projects

Senok Opens Sri Lanka's First Commercial Wind Energy Plant in Kalpitiya

21st March 2010, www.sundaytimes.lk, By Bandula Sirimanna

Sri Lanka next week begins harnessing winds blowing on the west coast at high speeds, 50 meters above ground level as an energy source to generate electricity at a newly constructed wind power park in the Mampuri area off Kalpitiya in the Puttalam district.

Senok Wind Power, Sri Lanka's first commercial wind energy plant, will be officially commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow but connecting of the 10 MW plant to the national grid will be delayed at least till the end of April as the power transmission related work is yet to be completed. Total investment of the project is around Rs.3 billion.

“Wind energy is good and clean but you have to be cautious when connecting it to the national grid,” said Tilak Siyambalapitiya, Director Resource Management Associates (Pvt) Ltd, consultant of the project speaking to Business Times, at the 5 square-km, beach site.

He was on his way to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the second phase of the Norochcholai power power project (which is nearby) on Thursday under the patronage of the president.

He said the capital investment for wind power is high, but it is a green energy and will not affect the environment. Once it is operational, in the long run it will be able to sell a unit of electricity at a low price, he said.

Senok Trade Combine Ltd, Promotions and Plantations Director Harin Philip De Costa, said the company signed a Small Power Purchase Agreement (SPPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board in December 2008 to supply power where they would receive around Rs 20 per unit of power in the first eight years and 50% of that, after eight years.

Though wind power is costly to consumers because the capital investment is high, the cost nevertheless will remain constant for 20 years unlike other current energy like fuel or thermal power which can vary, he said.

Mr De Costa said the company has a close relationship with the residents of Mampuri and other nearby villages and plans are underway to undertake several projects such as the development of pre-schools, construction of a maternity clinic and a play ground.

S. Kumaralingam, an Indian engineer, attached to Suzlon infrastructure Services Ltd handling the installation of wind mills, said that the setting up of five units of Suzlon's S64 1.25MW wind turbines supplied by Suzlon Energy company of India has been completed. Fifty Indian workers deployed by the company are working at the site. He said that the Indian government is providing a subsidy of one third of the capital cost and that is why many private investors are launching wind power projects in India.

Amila Perera, a civil engineer attached to Senok, told the Business Times that 20 Sri Lankans are working at the site and they have completed all civil engineering work including the construction of the access road network, casting of turbine foundations and other infrastructure facilities. However he added that three locations are yet to be completed.

The windpower development programme, facilitated by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), is part of the National Energy Policy and Strategy of the government and is a significant contributor to the diversity of energy resources used in power generation.

Related Info:
Sri Lanka's First Wind Power Park to be Opened by Senok at Kalpitiya in the Puttalam District

Sustainable Energy Authority - Wind Projects

Sri Lanka State Uility Approves Five Projects Developing 50MW of Wind Power

08th October 2009, www.lankabusinessonline.com

Sri Lanka's state-run power utility has given the nod for 50 MegaWatts of wind power to be developed by five parties in the north-western Puttalam area of the island, an official said.

Two firms, Senok and Hayleys, have already signed standardized power purchase agreements (SPPA) for 10MW each and have started building, Ajith Fernando, deputy general manager in charge of energy purchase at Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Another three parties have also been given letters of intent to develop a further three sites of 10MW each, he said.

Wind power plants are given a three-tier tariff on a 15-year SPPA.

The rate is announced at the beginning of the year based on costs, to give a return on equity of 22 percent a year, Fernando said. Mini-hydro plants are also connected on a standardized contract on a tiered formula.

Sri Lanka's government has declared a policy of generating 10 percent of the country's power needs from renewable sources by 2015, CEB chairman E K W Edirisinghe said.

Related Info:
Sustainable Energy Authority - Wind Projects