‘Energy sector must focus on indigenous sources’

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Future energy policy should give more emphasis to the development of indigenous sources of energy and energy conservation as imported fossil fuels and indigenous sources are the future energy options available to Sri Lanka, Additional Secretary Ministry of Power and Energy T. M Herath said.

Making a presentation on “A broad policy overview of energy sector at a seminar organised by the Chamber of Construction Industry at the Hotel Galadari he said self reliance will be the ultimate solution and the National Energy Policy will be reviewed and updated in 2009 to suit future needs, spelling out policy declaration, implementing strategies and special targets, milestones and institutional arrangements.

The National Energy Policy Declaration consists of nine items which include providing basic energy needs, ensuring energy security, promoting energy efficiency and conservation, promoting indigenous resources, adopting an appropriate pricing policy enhancing energy sector management capacity, consumer protection and ensuring a level playing field, enhancing the quality of supply, and protection.

Separate strategies have been designed for each item.

Herath said the energy sector will be reformed and restructured to improve state and private sector partnership in its development and sector policy making and regulation would remain in the state sector.

However the operational areas will be open to both State and private sector. The electricity sub sector also will be reformed and measures to obtain maximum benefits from international arrangements such as the Clean Development Mechanism.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will be empowered to formulate project selection principles for energy sector supply side investments.

A central agency will be empowered to ensure that prescribed policy measures are implemented in respect of energy efficiency and non conventional renewable energy development according to Herath.