Targets are achievable – A Secure Energy Future for Sri Lanka with Renewable Energy and Indigenous Natural Gas
January 2020, Compiled by Dr Vidhura Ralapanawa, Eng. Parakrama Jayasinghe and Mr Hemantha Withanage
Targets are achievable – Let’s bridge the gap!
The Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, the policy manifesto of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksha and SLPP states the following with respect to energy (Chapter 7 page 58) :-
We also anticipate that hydro and renewable energy together would account for 80% of the overall energy mix by 2030.
The manifesto also speaks of 2 more gas powered plants and some renewable projects. Manifesto does not mention any new coal power projects. Longstanding policy of 100% renewable energy by 2040 stands.
To achieve these targets, Sri Lanka cannot build any additional fossil fuel plants (gas, oil or coal), beyond the 2 gas plants in the
manifesto, and must embark on an aggressive large scale renewable energy programme. This will save our foreign exchange spent on imported fuel, generate large number of jobs in the country, put money spent on fuel in the hands of Sri Lankan citizens of all income levels and preserve the environment. Reliance on indigenous energy will also ensure energy security and self-sufficiency.
These targets are achievable
Coal power projects require public sector investment and taking on more debt. Natural gas and renewable projects can be fully financed by private sector funds, so that state sector funds can be invested in more critical areas such as education that will transform our country to reach its potential.
Each coal plant added to the grid reduces the amount of renewable energy that can be absorbed – hence most countries are closing their coal plants to support renewable energy. CEB generation plans REDUCE the amount of renewable energy from current 40% to 30% by 2040!
To achieve the targets, we must change the sector planning approach, bring in global expertise to create skill needed to run a heavy renewable grid, and be a center of global innovation. Sri Lanka can attract highly competent Sri Lankan citizens who are transforming the sector globally, along with companies like Tesla, AES, Samsung who lead market innovation. Creating a local market for product and integration innovation will also enable Sri Lanka to attract these leading tech firms to set up manufacturing and research in Sri Lanka for solar PV, battery storage and other supporting devices.
Read full article below (English and Sinhala versions).
Proposals-for-Future-Power-Generation-Final
Sinhala_Proposals_for_Future_Power_Generation-Final