70% of power generation from renewable energy by 2030: Prez

Plans should be devised to meet 70% of the country’s electricity demand using renewable energy sources by 2030, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said.

The President said all countries across the globe are inclined towards the usage of renewable sources of energy abandoning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum due to their adverse impact on the environment.   

In a statement, the President’s Media Division said President Rajapaksa made these comments during a discussion with the State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday.  “We should harness renewable energy sources as much as possible for our future generations to experience sustainable development,” he said.  The President emphasized that institutions with the authority to approve Development Projects should have feasibility reports on stand by and the approval process should be expedited.   The President added that if approval is sought for a certain project, approval should be granted within 14 days and if it exceeds 14 days it could be considered as a sign of approval.   

The Government has made the promotion of renewable energy a top priority. The President advised the Secretary to the President to issue a gazette calling for all the institutes to assist in this endeavour.  

The President said that if all the projects selected through the tender process are not commenced within three months, their licenses will be revoked.  The construction of Wind farms in Mannar, Pooneryn and Siyambalanduwa is aimed at adding a significant percentage of renewable energy to the national grid.   The President also stressed that the government should do all it can to encourage independent entrepreneurs to start wind or solar power projects.  

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, State Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Secretaries to Cabinet and State Ministries, Heads of Line Institutions and Entrepreneurs in the Energy Sector were also present at the discussion. 

• Government will do all it can to encourage independent entrepreneurs to start wind or solar power projects