Future of Energy

Two news items in the Daily News main section and the business pages caught our attention this morning. One is that the Government is mulling cheaper energy sources and the other is about a computer that can be powered by a cheaper power source, apart from mains electricity.

Both these are significant developments, given the energy crunch the country is facing. They appear to be quite separate developments, but in essence they point to a future where we will be less dependent on fossil fuels, for the import of which we spend billions of rupees every year.

The bitter truth is that most of Lanka's electricity is generated by diesel-operated thermal power plants. It is a power source whose price is constantly increasing. Moreover, it is a non-renewable source of power. Sri Lanka will get a respite once oil is commercially extracted from the Mannar Basin and other areas, but it would not be a permanent solution.

In this context, the National Economic Council chaired by the President must be lauded for deciding to explore the possibility of moving into renewable and cheaper energy sources in a big way.

Two such sources come to mind immediately: solar and wind power. Both resources are available freely, are renewable and above all, practically free, save the cost of initial infrastructure. Other countries have already taken giant strides in this direction.

Solar power is already being used on a limited scale in many parts of the country. In more affluent homes, solar panels (photovoltaic cells) are used solely for heating water but in the interior, many households rely on them to power light bulbs and several appliances. The cost of panels keeps decreasing all the time.

The Government must seriously consider granting a substantial subsidy for solar panel installation at least in villages to which the National Grid cannot reach at present. Wind power is also continually evolving.

The latest wind farms in Europe are making a substantial contribution to the respective countries' national grids. The initial cost is somewhat high but once up and running it is virtually maintenance and cost free.

Several areas in Sri Lanka have already been cited as potential wind farm sites and the Government must take the momentum forward.

Having infrastructure for alternative power sources will not by itself solve the problem. Both public and private sectors must prepare the groundwork for an 'alternative energy' future.

At least one company has already shown the way - PC House, makers of computers, is designing a low-cost computer which can be powered by an alternative source.

This will take computers to villages which still do not have mains electricity. We hope that this thinking will permeate to other institutions, public and private. The future is already here.