Target of electricity from renewable energy not realistic – engineers

By Ifham Nizam

The government’s decision to increase the supply of electricity from renewable energy to the National Grid by 70 percent in 2030 was not practical and that would in turn lead to blackouts by 2024, due to the non-implementation of projects, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union said.

CEBEU President Eng. Saumya Kumarawadu told The Island that 70 percent renewable intake was not practical and they would bring it to the notice of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, again.

He said that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to halt the 500MW in Sampur, Trincomalee, and had caused huge losses in billions of rupees.

He also said that what they had stated was clean energy 70 percent. “We should decide on the structures and achieve the targets without allowing advisors and renewable lobbies to decide on the power intake,” he added.

The CEBEU Chief said that they had informed Power Minister Dullas Alhapperuma and Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera that the move could cause a number of issues to the existing and future projects.

A senior engineer told The Island even to achieve 50 percent renewable by 2030 Sri Lanka had to go well beyond targets and achievement of developed nations, particularly Germany.

The recommendations of the Special Committee appointed for accelerating renewable energy projects were approved by the Cabinet last week.