Air Force, Ministry of Power & Energy to launch first ever cloud-seeding project

Air Force and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development have agreed to launch the first ever cloud-seeding project, in a bid to address the issue of impact of dry weather on power generation in Sri Lanka.

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy and Power, Energy and Business Development Ministry Secretary Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Air Force Headquarters to launch the project on Wednesday.

Power, Energy and Business Development Minister Ravi Karunanayake and State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy A.D. Premadasa were present for the signing of the MOU.

At present, the reduction of water levels of the catchment areas where hydropower is generated compel the utilisation of thermal energy, which comes at a much higher cost, and also contributes to adverse impacts on the environment. The process of rainmaking is done by spraying clouds with chemicals, using an aircraft.

Adopting effective methodologies to increase rainfall, and to harvest that water in order to utilise it for hydropower generation, can result in substantial savings to the national coffers, while also ensuring minimal harm to the environment, the Air Force explained.