The Bio Energy Association of Sri Lanka held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently, at the Institution of Engineers and appointed a new executive committee.

The incumbent President Eng. Chamil Silva made a detailed report on the activities carried out even during these dark years. 

The members appointed to the new executive committee are President Chamil Silva, Vice President Nalin de silva, Hony Secretary Amr Khalid and Hony Treasure N. Nagasinghe.

It is well known that the progress seen in the development of the bio energy projects at the time the Sustainable Energy Authority was enacted was supported by some very visionary policies and regulations in place by the Sustainable Energy Authority and supported by the Ceylon Electricity Board. But some unfathomable obstructive decisions by some in authority created a hiatus in such progress since 2016.

However, the dark period of over seven years, is at last over and the path is clear for development of bio energy for power generation and the recent events have also brought into focus the renewed interest in use of bio mass for thermal energy by fuel switching form expensive oil. It is also important to note that bio energy-based power generation has also been provided an attractive feed in tariff under the NCRE scheme of the SLSEA and updated from July 1, 2024.  

The fuel switching from fossil fuels to bio mass has growing interest, driven both by the reduced cost of energy and the green credentials for the export industries, which is a distinct marketing advantage of ensuring their green credentials demanded by some international markets.  

Under these circumstances the Bio Energy Association of Sri Lanka has been rejuvenated to take up an active and vibrant role on all aspects of the bio energy sector for the benefit of the members as well as the country and to assist in the facilitation of development works and in ironing out any barriers that may surface.