Renewable Energy Expert Calls To Expedite Process For Energy Crisis

Shakila Ifham

January 25, 2022

Share

From Left to Right Manjula Perera, Wind Power Developers Association, Secretary, Thusitha Peiris, Small Hydro Power Developers Association, President, Lasith Wimalasena, Ground Mounted Solar Developers Association.

One of the biggest stumbling blocks the renewable energy sector faces is the government’s approval process taking years to complete, renewable energy sector experts yesterday said.

The team comprises of Manjula Perera, Wind Power Developers Association, Secretary, Thusitha Peiris, Small Hydro Power Developers Association, President, Lasith Wimalasena, Ground Mounted Solar Developers Association, President, Chamil Silva, Bio Energy Developers Association, President, Kushan Jayasuriya, Solar Industries Association, President, Waruna Dahanayake, Small Hydro Power Developers Association, Secretary and Legal Advisor, Thusitha Peiris, Small Hydro Power Developers Association, President, Manjula Perera, Wind Power Developers Association, Secretary, Riyaz Sangani, Small Hydro Power Developers Association, Past President, Lasith Wimalasena, Ground Mounted Solar Developers Association, President, Chamil Silva, Bio Energy Developers Association President, Kushan Jayasuriya, Solar Industries Association, President, Prabath Wickramasinghe Small Hydro Power Developers  Association, Past President.

Riyaz Sangani, Past President of Hydro Power Developers Association told journalists that the process needs to be streamlined and implemented in an efficient manner as possible.

“Renewable energy developers also run into a myriad of challenges from the CEB that has delayed approval and grid connections, sometimes attributed to incorrect technical analysis.  Bringing correct knowledge and international best practices to the CEB will smoothen these issues,” he added at the discussion held on the topic titled `Renewable Energy Sri Lanka’s Solution to the Current Energy Crisis’ held at the Hilton Residences in Colombo.

They also pointed out that there are currently a total of 294 private sector renewable energy developer projects which have been commissioned. These projects have combined capacity of 718.334 megawatts (MW).

The total number of projects needs to increase drastically, for the country to truly reap the full benefits of renewable energy, they stressed.

The team also said that Sri Lanka is currently facing an acute energy crisis, primarily due to the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuel. The solution to this is for the country to move on to more renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, bio-gas, biomass and hydro power. Renewable energy also presents a host of other benefits both socially and economically as well.

In the backdrop of dwindling foreign currency reserves and capacity shortages, the only logical solution for Sri Lanka to take is to adopt renewable energy as the primary source of energy production. Renewable energy can be generated using Sri Lanka’s ample natural resources. This would also offer some relief to Sri Lanka’s diminishing foreign reserves as renewable energy does not need to rely on fuel imports.

With the price of Oil, Coal and Gas increasing globally, it is not sustainable for countries such as Sri Lanka which has to import fossil fuels to have larger exposure to non-renewable sources of energy. It is best to make the switch to renewable forms of energy sooner rather than later, so that the country’s economy is not harmed.

Sangani added: “Our goal as the renewable energy sector is to help the government and the people overcome the current energy crisis in the country. We believe that the key to this is to increase co-operation between the government and the private sector. Only then will we be able to successfully overcome all obstacles and make the switch to renewable energy.”

In addition to the immediate benefits which the country will receive, renewable energy sources also pose less of a risk to the climate and environment. This will help protect the environment and ensure that the country’s development will not be hindered by any environmental issues in the future.

There have been many local and foreign investors who have shown interest in investing in renewable energy for Sri Lanka. These investors need to be shown that it is a worthwhile investment and that hindrances will be minimal. Only then can Sri Lanka overcome its socio-economic woes and continue with development.