Plan to increase energy production by 2020

By Ifham Nizam

Plans are afoot to increase the energy production of all substitute energy resources by the year 2020.

Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said 30 MW of power generation, via wind power, would be increased to 90 MW. 175 MW of power generation, via small hydropower plants, increased to 500 MW and the 11.2 power generation via solar and bio gases would be increased to 150 MW.

Ranawaka stressed that Hydropower alone is not sufficient to provide electricity countrywide or to the rural masses.

He also said that solar panels would be provided at concessionary rates to the public in the rural areas.

The Ministry of Power and Energy currently operates aiming at two goals. The first is to achieve the target of electricity for the entire country by 2012. All mechanisms are currently in motion to achieve this feat, he added.

He said that the second goal is to meet at least 20 per cent of the country’s total electricity requirement through renewable energy sources.

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=32173