The Government hopes to add over 500 megawatts (mw) to the national power grid over the next two years through renewable energy projects, said Minister of Energy, Kumara Jayakody.
The current local renewable power generation is around 1400 Megawatts. The Minister was speaking at a discussion with investors at the Ministry of Energy (on December 26) to discuss the progress and issues related to medium and large-scale renewable energy projects implemented under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority.
“We are a country with the highest energy costs in the region and the government’s aim is to change that situation and provide energy at a reasonable and affordable price as this is what is needed to develop the country,” the Minister said. He said that the Government has high hopes on the renewable energy sector to achieve this goal.” “We are giving the private sector ample opportunity to invest in energy generation which will create a win win situation for both the government and investors,” the Minister said.
He said that as a Government that understands the values and expectations of investors they are working to provide quick solutions to their problems and achieve the country’s energy goals, Minister Jayakody said.
At the meeting, representatives of institutions involved in renewable energy projects discussed the problems faced by those projects, the current status and progress of those projects, and many other relevant issues.
The private sector representatives said that the government should rethink their strategy on LMG plants. They also opined that there have been several improper Grid connections that were awarded and these should be looked into.
One other key point they stressed was that a level playing field should be created when payments per unit are being made between foreign funded projects and locally invested power generation projects.
The Minister instructed the officials who were present to work together with the Government institutions to resolve the issues that arise and to take decisions quickly.
