(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Minister of Power and Energy Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) officials to promptly commence work on 14 solar power projects which have already received cabinet approval and will add 96 MW to the national grid.
Minister Amaraweera noted that all projects in every aspect of generating electricity should be implemented in order to ensure that the entire system does not collapse while adding power to the national grid.
Steps need to be taken to build hydro, coal, natural gas, solar and wind power plants as well as wave power generation. The Minister requested the officials to give attention to all sectors of electricity generation.
The Minister said that he will consider the objections raised by various parties to power generation projects using coal and fuel and hopes to find solutions in consultation with relevant parties.
The Minister making these comments at a discussion on power crisis on Friday 24th said that there is a misconceived perception that the government will not give same priority to renewable energy as it gives for coal and LNG power.
But while the government is focusing on short-term sectors that can generate large amounts of electricity, the Ministry has approved the addition of 96 MW of power to the main grid from 14 solar power projects this year.
He noted that the installation of rooftop solar power panels has increased 51% in 2018 from 2017.
The Minister explained that solar power projects are beneficial to the country and installing solar power kits on the roofs of homes should not be reduced.
If the Ceylon Electricity Board is to be made profitable within the next three years, it is necessary to implement a number of new power projects, the Minister stressed and added that the government’s intention is to increase the national electricity production by all means to make the electricity bill cheaper for the consumer.
