Solar power could save Rs. 266 billion – SIA
The immediate implementation of the ‘Least Cost Long Term Solar Power Generation Plan’ will save a total of Rs 266 billion for the Sri Lankan economy, the Secretary of the Solar Industries Association (SIA), Lakmal Fernando claimed today (18).
He said this at a SIA Press conference held in Colombo.
Fernando further claimed that the proposed plan can also prevent a foreign currency outflow of approximately Rs 1,187 billion on emergency power purchases.
“The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been purchasing emergency power for the last four years. At this point, we can’t even call this recurring habit of power purchasing ‘emergency power’ anymore. According to our calculations, the Government has spent around Rs 1,187 billion for the last four years to purchase emergency power,” he added.
He further added that the savings of Rs 266 billion can be realized in another five years if the Government was to implement the proposed solar power generation plan immediately.
Fernando also said that the CEB would have received 1,550 mega watts (MW) from the pending 617 solar power applicants.
“The CEB is just sitting on these applications. If these 1,550 MW were in the system, we could have avoided these power cuts all together. Why are they not approving these applications? As the SIA, we have added 230 MW to the system, and if not for this addition, the power cuts would have been even longer. We are simply trying to increase this contribution,” he added.
(Source: Ceylon Today – By Ranmini Gunasekara)
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Only talking.
1) only wish full thinking test a solar panel without grid connection and publish the results it would be a surprised to many UNP back benches for they appear to be hooked on solar power like their power minister Ravi Karunanayake . They should be made to read the big book made by me sent by the Hon Speaker to the Bribery and Corruption unit and to read especially supporting document P 6 which states among other matters
2) the chimneys are 150 meters high and also have a 99% very efficient precipitator and as such only a small amount of coal dust would be sent into the global atmosphere which would not affect us who are living in the local atmosphere