Turkey indicates readiness to assist Lanka’s renewable energy sector

Minister Alahapperuma and the Turkish Ambassador

By Ifham Nizam

The Turkish government was ready to support President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Vision of Prosperity’s National Power Plan to generate 70 per cent of electricity through renewable sources and to replace diesel power plants that were literally burning the economy of Sri Lanka, a top diplomat said yesterday.

Turkish Ambassador Demet Sekercioglu, who met Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, assured that her country would help the Sri Lankan government to achieve President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visionary target.

The Power Minister and the Turkish Ambassador had a discussion on the future planning and development strategies of the Sri Lankan power sector during the meeting aimed at enhancing the long standing diplomatic relations and friendship between the two countries.

Minister Alahapperuma said that the contribution of green and renewable energy to the national power grid would be increased to 70 per cent and the diesel power generation would be reduced to five per cent by 2025

Diesel power would be done away with by 2030, the Minister said, adding that plans were afoot to develop existing renewable energy sources and explore new one with the help of the private sector.

The Turkish Ambassador said that her country intended to provide technical assistance for the development of renewable energy for the betterment of the power sector here and to draw the attention of both public and private sector investors in Turkey to opportunities in Sri Lanka for establishment of new renewable energy projects.

Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy also participated in this official discussion.