Sustainable energy sector:

Investments prove success

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Investments in the sustainable energy sector is highly appreciated under the clean green energy concept of the government, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

The Minister said so participating at a ceremony held yesterday to sign a joint venture agreement to construct a power plant that will use Bio-fuel.

In line with the national energy policy of the government to achieve 10 percent contribution by renewable energy by 2015, the government is keen on encouraging the generation of renewable energy. Under this concept, power generation with solar panels, power generation using wind power and Bio-fuel and so on are highly appreciated, the Minister said.

In accordance with the joint venture agreement, a power plant which will generate 10MW of renewable energy using Gliricidia will be constructed at Kumbukana in the Moneragala district. The power plant will add electricity to the national grid by the last quarter of 2011.

The Minister said Gliricidia can be used as a renewable energy source for power generation. Gliricidia is a well known and easily grown tree in the country which has the ability of fixing the soil with nitrogen in the air.

The tree is also an animal feed and provides carbonic fertilizer. The people can have lucrative income by selling Gliricidia to power plants.

A kilogram of Gliricidia will be purchased by the power plant for Rs 7.50.

Gliricidia cultivation in home gardens can give an additional income to alleviate rural poverty, Minister Ranawaka noted.