'SL will achieve energy independence by 2050'

Priyanka KURUGALA

'Sri Lanka has commenced marching towards energy independence which will be reached by 2050', Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

"Sri Lanka is one of the countries gradually moving towards achieving an "oil-less future". At present, the country utilizes around 85 percent of fossil fuel for generating energy in every sector. Therefore, the time has come to go for renewable energy", he said.

Renewable energy sources are the cheapest energy sources which have been introduced to the world. The price of an electricity unit is Rs. 21.70 at present. Nevertheless, the price of a wind power energy unit is Rs 13. Power generated from mini hydro power is Rs 21 per unit.

"In 2020 , it can be assured that one unit of fuel power energy will cost Rs 60. The Power and Energy Ministry is taking measures to increase wind and solar power energy by 20 percent in 2020", he said. The minister was delivering the keynote address at a website launch of the Sustainable Energy Authority at the BMICH yesterday. The website can be accessed on www.info.energy.gov.lk.

Through this website, all details pertaining to Sri Lankan Sustainable Energy Authority and sustainable energy sources could be obtained.

The minister said to achieve these targets, the Power and Energy Ministry has set its target to increase renewable energy in power generation by 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020.

"The ministry will cut down expenditure by 10 percent. The ministry requests all institutions to reduce their expenditure by 10 percent, he said.

"Sri Lanka spends 34.2 percent of export earnings for the importation of petroleum fuels.

"The share of petroleum in the national energy supply is 42 percent. The transport sector is entirely run by petroleum.

"The share of petroleum in power generation is between 65-85 percent", he said. Minister Ranawaka said that per capita energy consumption is on the increase. Petroleum and other liquid fuels will remain the most important fuels for transportation in the coming years as there are a few alternatives that can be expected to compete widely with petroleum-based liquids.

"Sri Lanka has plans to achieve its energy goals. The country is blessed with a low energy intense economy.

"Therefore, the country is capable of adopting development strategies focused on sectors that offer greater added value", the minister said.

Sustainable Energy Authority chairman Dr Kithsiri Dissanayaka, Sustainable Energy Authority Deputy Director General Harsha Wichramasinghe and Prof KKYW Perera were also present on the occasion.