Green light for more renewable energy plants

• 150 Mw solar plant and 60 Mw wind power plant to be added to grid by 2020

The Power and Energy Ministry this week received approval for the construction of 150 Mw solar and 60 Mw of wind power plants from the Cabinet of Ministers appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

The proposal to initiate the procurement process to construct the plants as per the Sri Lanka Electricity Generation Plan was presented to the meeting chaired by President Sirisena this week. 

The proposal takes note that as per country’s electricity generation plan, one-third of the entire necessity is to be generated by non-traditional and alternative renewable energy sources by 2030. 

The new additions are set to be connected to the grid by 2020, under the 2018-2037 Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan prepared by the Electricity Board, the proposal presented said.

The Long-Term Generation Plan presented by the Ceylon Electricity Board was earlier under dispute with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka refusing to give its approval, opposing the inclusion of coal plants. 

The delay caused a chain reaction leading to delays in commissioning of much-needed new power plants to meet the demand. However earlier the Electricity Board and Engineers’ Union attached to the institution refused to engage in commissioning of new plants until PUCSL approved the LTGP without alterations.