Korea pledges $ 16 million for power and energy sector development

The Korean government has pledged US $ 16 million financial aid to develop the power and energy sector.

This was pledged by Korean government officials during a meeting with Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at the ministry yesterday.

Korean government officials praised the efforts of the Sri Lankan power sector for utilizing a combination of power generating methods to meet the daily power requirements of the country.The Sri Lankan and Korean delegation also discussed green energy sources in keeping with the goal of providing electricity to all by 2012. The Korean government is expected to assist in this area as well.

Ranawaka explained the progress of the Hambantota-Buruthakanda Solar power park with a 500 KW capacity being built with Korean assistance. It was decided during this meeting to add generated solar power to the national grid by the end of August.

The minister also discussed with the Korean delegation the issues pertaining to street lamps and sought Korean government assistance in installing solar power street lamps which is being used successfully in Korea.

Minister Ranawaka also requested for technical expertise and methods in the hydro pump storage system, which is a method where the same water is used in the production of hydro power generation. The Korean delegation agreed to provide assistance sought by the minister and said that a special delegation would visit Sri Lanka to discuss the matter further.

Korean Ambassador Jongmoon Choi, Adviser Ha Wei Young, ministry secretary M M C Fernando and several other officials participated in these discussions.