Self-sufficiency in power generation - A response

I read with interest your editorial on the need for self-sufficiency in power generation.

I would argue that though solar and wind do certainly have their place, they both (and wind especially) can be rather unreliable. Latest data show that solar output is entering a minimum phase, and that will affect both the direct solar exposure of the island and also the amount of wind generated.

In the case of wind power, vast investment is required in the roads and other infrastructure required to enable a wind farm to be set up, and that is not including the huge subsidies required for the turbines. European and other developed nations are still persuing wind power stubbornly though it is economically unviable.

I would propose that solar, small-scale wind, bio-fuel, and every other resource be harnessed, but only as a stop-gap solution until Sri Lanka can establish nuclear power generation. Sri Lanka has the fossile fuel required in abundance, and all ingredients too such as water for cooling. It is without doubt that Sri Lankans have the intelligence and motivation to develop nuclear power technology and know-how, what is lacking is the political will and direction.

Japan and France are too nations which both employ nuclear power heavily, and Japan is dependent on nuclear fuel imports - yet they persevere with it.

The result is that both nations do not fear any oil shocks, and their only requirement of oil is for motor vehicles. Soon, those too will be powered by the cheap electricity of their nuclear power stations and the requirement for foreign oil will be eliminated altogether.

I believe that Sri Lanka should actively persue nuclear energy generation. The technological fall out from such a program will infuse our education system and industry and business with vast benefits as well.

With regards to CFL light bulbs however, I would disagree as these are dangerous if broken, releasing several toxic chemicals and poisonous metals such as cadmium. I do not think people should be exposed to this risk, not to mention the increased rate of headaches and migraines caused by these lights where they have been deployed. Safer lighting such as LED based bulbs would be better suited, and until they become cheaper, incandescent bulbs would be adequate.

- Mahamaharaja