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Mini hydropower societies under one banner

by Florence Wickramage

Rural mini and micro hydro-power generating societies islandwide recently grouped themselves under one banner called the Federation of Electricity Consumer Societies with the coordination of the Energy Forum, the Federation's Coordinator Bandula Chandrasekera told the Daily News yesterday.

The formation of the Federation has been prompted by the proposed establishment of 600 more micro and mini hydropower projects to support the national grid, according to a recent technological research done by Energy Authorities. Already 40 more such schemes have been planned under a loan scheme of the World Bank.

Chandrasekera said that already over 3,000 families from 120 villages are benefitting from micro and mini hydropower projects under a programme launched in 1992. Even though the attention of the government, provincial councils and funding agencies have been drawn to this project, certain problems encountered by the Hydropower generating societies have been highlighted in recent surveys.

These difficulties include delays in obtaining licences from state agencies to commence the project, delays in loan facilities from funding agencies, lack of assistance from the limited Technical Institutions in the island and exorbitant rates charged for expertise.

The Federation therefore will focus attention on creating a united general forum to address the many grievances and obstacles faced by them with related sectors in the Energy field. 

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