Solution to city garbage problem:

Power from waste

Projects to add 259 MW to grid:

Sandasen Marasinghe

The Power and Energy Ministry has taken measures to initiate 38 projects to generate electricity using solid waste in Colombo city and suburbs with immediate effect as an initial step to make a considerable contribution to the national grid with non traditional renewable energy sources by 2015.

A Ministry spokesman told the Daily News that these projects will add 259 MW to the national grid. He also added that another eight such projects are under construction.

They will generate 34 MW. Three other projects which are completed generate 12 MW. The spokesman said that the Power and Energy Ministry has concentrated on renewable energy sources as a remedy for the energy deficiency facing the country.

He added that the Ministry has initiated a number of projects to generate power using traditional and non-traditional bio mass sources to add electricity to the national grid under the direction of Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The spokesman said that temporary approvals to commence these projects have been received.

He added that approvals from certain institutions are on.

The Power and Energy Ministry spokesman stated that these bio mass projects are a relief to the major issue of garbage disposal in the Colombo city and the suburbs.

The spokesman stated that the cost per unit of electricity generation is considerably low in these projects.

They also help prevent environmental pollution.

The Ministry added that the long-term objective of the renewable energy projects are to make considerable contribution to the national grid with the electricity generated using non traditional energy resources by 2015. To reach this long-term objective the Ministry has also concentrated on small scale hydro power stations and harnessing the wind power.