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by Ranil Wijayapala

Power and Energy Minister Karu Jayasuriya yesterday connected to the national grid the solar power panel installed at the Worldview Global Media office and training complex at Pelawatta, Battaramulla.

This is the first time that the national grid is being fed by solar power. The power panel will supply 25 Kw daily to the national grid and by end 2002 this will be increased to 100 Kw.

Minister Jayasuriya said that the supply of solar power to the national grid for the first time was a landmark in the history of the Ceylon Electricity Board. Such an addition, though on a small scale, is great relief for the CEB considering the present power crisis.

The Power and Energy Ministry is doing its best to overcome the power crisis to ease the inconvenience caused to the public by power cuts, he assured.

He said the government is taking policy decisions regarding the implementation of new power projects to overcome the power crisis. The policy decision regarding the implementation of the upper Kotmale project was taken by the Government to take the full advantage of generating hydropower using potential resources in the country.

The Ministry will also encourage the private sector to establish mini hydropower projects using small waterfalls.

Oddvar Laegreid, Minister Counsellor of NORAD said the implementation of solar power projects in Sri Lanka was a major step as the country is blessed with plenty of sunshine. He points out that the country can use renewable energy resources which are available in abundance to overcome the power crisis.

President, Worldview Global Media Limited and Secretary General, Worldview International Foundation Arne Fjortoft also spoke.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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