CEB Act to be amended to meet President’s renewable energy target

By Ifham Nizam

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) long-term generation plan (2022-2041) is to be presented within two months in keeping with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s goal of achieving a 70 percent renewable energy target, according to sources.

The CEB’s generation plans promote thermal power plants. The generation plan for the aforesaid period, presented in 2021, was not in line with the President’s policies, and included two coal power plants. In late 2021, the Cabinet decided against the construction of any more coal power plants.

A senior CEB official told The Island that the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) had agreed to work towards meeting the government’s renewable energy target.

Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) Director General Sulakshana Jayawardena, contacted for comment, said that the Ceylon Electricity Board Act, too, would soon be changed accordingly to facilitate more renewable projects.

He said there were a number of investor proposals/expressions of interest submitted for renewable energy projects.

Responding to queries, Jayawardena said the number of foreign companies had expressed their willingness to invest in such projects while some local institutions had agreed to use their own lands for renewable energy development ventures.

In order to achieve the target of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030, about 4,800 MW of Solar power and 3500 MW of wind power will have to be generated between 2022 and 2030.

Three solar power projects are to be implemented in the Hasalaka Divisional Secretariat area, according to the CEB.