Non-conventional renewable energy:

Increase in new projects

Harshini Perera

The contribution of non-conventional renewable energy sources to the national grid has increased to 6.8 percent last year. This was 5.5 percent in 2009. Going in line with the Government expectation, the non-conventional renewable energy sector targets to have 10 percent contribution to the national grid by the end of 2015.

The number of non-conventional energy projects that commenced in 2010 were high at 90 compared with 85 in 2009. The non-conventional renewable energy sources have contributed to the national grid with 213 megawatts as at January 31, 2011.

The main contributor for non-conventional renewable energy is still held by mini hydro power and it is 172 megawatts as at January 31, 2011.

The capacity of the mini hydro power energy is generated by 84 projects operating in the prospective areas.

The second renewable energy source is the wind power which accounts for 30 megawatts from the production of three projects.

Biomass-agricultural and industrial waste power stands next with a contribution of 11 megawatts while solar power shows less contribution with two and one projects respectively, a Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) official told Daily News Business. Few foreign investors too have shown interest in investing in renewable energy projects.

“The approval process for projects should be faster than it prevails at present and there should be more Government cooperation to the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA). The Provincial Councils too delay the approval of projects. There should be special incentives given to developers without discouraging them,” Small Hydro Power Developers Association Secretary General S B Niyangoda said.