CEB launches transmission development project for renewable energy with French assistance 

By Ifham Nizam

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) launched the Transmission Development Project for Renewable Energy with the construction of a 50 km transmission line, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said at the opening of the Nawalapitiya Grid substation yesterday.

A long-term loan of EURO 30 million (nearly Rs. 6,000 million) has been provided by the French Institute of Financial Development for this purpose. Rs. 1,500 million has been allocated by the CEB.

Alhapperuma said that by connecting the Nawalapitiya Grid Substation and the other three grid substations in this project to eco-friendly small hydro power plants, the CEB would be able to add about 100 MW to the generating system within the next few years.

He also stressed that the government had realised the environmental crisis and moved towards a renewable economy.

In addition, the CEB hoped to provide electricity from the Nawalapitiya Grid Substation to about 50,000 families and a large number of industries and to improve the low voltage supply in those areas, he said.

“Today, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision of prosperity is a giant leap forward in the journey to make renewable energy sources the driving force of the country,” the Minister said.

He also said “Our goal is to reduce diesel and other fuel use in power generation in the country by 5% by 2025. We are ready to reduce it to 0  per cent by 2030. That is why a Ministry of Renewable Energy was established.”

Minister Alahapperuma also observed that Europe was rapidly moving towards a renewable economy. France was currently exporting electricity.

Renewable goals had embraced the whole of Europe. They used renewable sources not only in electricity generation but also in transportation. In the same way, he said, the environment should be cleansed and the people’s economy should be strengthened on renewable energy in Sri Lanka as well.

French Ambassador Eric Lavertu, Provincial Councilor Weerasinghe Aluthgamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy Wasantha Perera, Chairman of the Electricity Board Vijitha Herath, Deputy Chairman Nalinda Illangakoon and General Manager Kumudini Herath were also present.