By Maheesha Mudugamuwa in The Sunday Morning, Dec 3, 2023
Solar power generation: Unsolicited Chinese proposal to Irrigation Ministry?
—* CEB unaware of proposal amidst controversial evaluation
Another unsolicited proposal from a Chinese company to build a floating solar plant on Malwathu Oya is currently under evaluation by the Irrigation Ministry, The Sunday Morning learns. It is reliably learnt that the proposal had been submitted to the ministry last week.
When contacted, Irrigation Ministry Secretary U.D.C. Jayalal confirmed to The Sunday Morning that the ministry had received a proposal for a floating solar plant on Malwathu Oya and that it was currently under evaluation.
“We have installed hydropower plants in almost all reservoirs and only Uma Oya is pending. Now we are trying to install floating solar on reservoirs,” he said.
Jayalal explained further that the ministry would evaluate the feasibility of the proposals received for installing floating solar panels on reservoirs.
“Currently, one solar project is being carried out by the Ministry of Power at the Samanalawewa reservoir,” he said.
This development occurs against a backdrop of vehement opposition from engineers affiliated with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), who strongly oppose the consideration of unsolicited proposals, particularly those related to renewable energy, including solar.
The spotlight was focused on the two proposed projects for Samanalawewa and Poonakary.
Recently, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU), in a letter written to CEB Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon, has expressed concerns regarding the ongoing evaluation of renewable energy projects involving private sector participation.
The CEBEU has insisted that they should align with regional standards, be cost-effective, and avoid exorbitant profits for developers.
Furthermore, the union has expressed uncertainty about the technical compliance of a proposed 700 MW solar power project with 2,500 MWh batteries in Poonakary, emphasising on the need for a thorough assessment.
In such a backdrop, energy expert Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya urged the Government to opt for competitive bidding in all renewable energy projects.
“The renewable lobby has halted competitive bidding. Either Sri Lanka should adopt competitive bidding for all renewable energy projects or our economy is finished,” he told The Sunday Morning.
Referring to the recent project proposed for Poonakary, Dr. Siyambalapitiya stated that the project was not viable for Sri Lanka. “The project may be viable for the investor, but how can it be viable for Sri Lanka? If we consider rooftop solar at Rs. 30, here we are discussing a massive-scale solar park and the price must be half that,” he stressed.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, CEB Chairman Nalinda Ilangakoon said that he was not aware of any proposed project for Malwathu Oya.
He also reiterated the importance of adhering to the solar expansion plan issued by the CEB, stating: “Projects have to come either through the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) or the CEB.” https://www.themorning.lk/articles/WfZWC2LrdXWoYjkskdSr
