A New Company to Revive Energy Projects and to Promote the Use of more Renewable Energy Sources

04th January 2012, www.island.lk, By Ifham Nizam

To revive ailing power projects and to further strengthen the functions of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka (SEASL), particularly to promote the use of more renewable energy sources, a new entity, Sri Lanka Energy (Pvt) Ltd, was inaugurated yesterday by Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Sri Lanka Energy (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Ceylon Electricity Board is housed at the BMICH in Colombo.

A spokesman of the SEASL told The Island Financial Review, when queried as to why another entity was created when the SEASL is supposed to carry out these functions and felicitate private investments in the energy sector, that the new institution was established with the specific goal of reviving ailing energy projects with the assistance of the CEB, Lanka Electricity Company and Lanka Transformers Limited.

He added that SEASL will act as a regulator and even the newly formed establishment would have to obtain licenses through the SEASL.

The Power and Energy Ministry has so far earmarked for revival 130 mini hydro power plants capable for generating a capacity of 250 MW.

Ranawaka said the establishment of the Sri Lanka Energy (Pvt) Ltd was vital considering the growing importance of utilising renewable energy sources, particularly with climate change and global warming becoming a scourge to mankind.

He said new entity would not only ease the workload of the Sustainable Energy Authority but also guide it in its future endeavours.

He stressed that Sri Lanka Energy was established not to compete with the private sector, but to support it.

He said that the ministry aims to meet 20 percent of the country’s electricity demands through renewable energy sources by 2020.

He also said that although solar and wind power was cheaper, problems arise when it comes to connecting these plants to the national grid. "Thus, coal-fired power plants is the next best option," he said.

Ranawaka assured that steps would be taken to upgrade the grid to suit modern requirements and systems.

S. E. Diddeniya would function as the CEO of Sri Lanka Energy. The CEB Chairman is Prof. Wimaladharma Abeywickrema.

Related Info :

• Sri Lanka Non Conventional Renewable Energy Contribution to the National Grid was 6.8pct in 2010 with New Projects

Korea Funds $50mn 500KW Solar Power Project in Hambantota, Sri Lanka

24th March 2010, www.dailynews.lk, By Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Korean Government will grant US$ 50 million to install Lanka's first 500 KW grid connected solar power generation project in Hambantota.

It will also lend money for the Gampaha sanitary waste management yard.

Korea's Ambassador Choi Kichul said their Government is also considering promoting Sri Lanka among Korean investors in solar, wind and biomass power generation, clean development mechanisms, carbon credit, solid waste management, energy efficiency and transmission lines.

He was the chief guest at a seminar on Clean Development Mechanisms organized by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority held jointly with Ecoeye of South Korea.

The Ambassador said there are also possibilities of sponsoring visitors from Sri Lanka to Korea's energy exhibitions to view latest technologies and technological developments in these sectors.

"We have an interest in assisting the Sri Lankan Government to meet the country's energy requirement by the implementation of a policy framework of increasing diversity of energy supply sectors specially in alternate technologies for better energy efficiency and utilization," he said.

He pointed out that engaging the private sector and civil society as stakeholders and partners is crucial to success of a green economy and the efforts to pursue sustainable energy.

Sri Lanka's First Grid-Connected Solar Power Project to be Set up in Hambantota. 500KW $50mn Project Funded by Korean Government

23rd January 2010, www.island.lk, by Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka’s first large scale grid-connected solar power project of 500 kw power generating capacity will be set up at Buruthankanda, in the Hambantota district with funds provided by the Korean Government, Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) Director General Chandana Samarasinghe said.

The Memorandum of Understanding to set up the 500kW plant was signed between the Korean and the Sri Lankan governments on Wednesday with the participation of Power and Energy Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne, Korean International Cooperation Agency Resident Representative Song Min – Hyeon, Power and Energy Ministry Secretary M. M. C. Ferdinando and SLSEA Chairman Dr. Krishan Deheragoda.

According to Samarasinghe the agent of the Korean Government would undertake the project up to the level of the grid connection.

He said that the project would function as the pathfinder for solar based power generation projects in Sri Lanka.

Being the first of its kind, the project would provide valuable knowledge required to operate a commercial scale solar power generation project and it would allay any fear of the investors about the solar (photo voltic)PV technology and drive investments in this sector.

The revenue generated from this project will be channelled to the rural electrification programme of the SLSEA which has already identified 12 rural villages for immediate implementation. Through the revenue generated, more than 100 families of the most vulnerable section of the community can be provided with a basic electricity supply every year, he added.

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