News
President’s renewable targets possible, says top electrical engineer
By Ifham Nizam
Eighty per cent renewable energy by 2030 is possible if the government is ready to go all out to achieve that target, a senior independent electrical engineer says.
Energy Consultant, former Additional General Manager (COMMERCIAL) Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Kanaga Gnana told The Island that battery storage and pumped storage needed to be planned to be implemented as soon as possible.
The government must abolish the import duty and taxes on battery storage both behind the meter and grid storage to make the process economical, he said.
“CEB engineers must strive to achieve the set target instead of repeating that the President’s plan is not viable. It is unfortunate that the planning engineers appeared only to follow wrong advice given by some so-called local experts who wanted them to promote the costly coal power generation. We must keep an open mind and learn from latest developments as regards cost reduction. The CEB should call for quotations for large wind and solar projects of size 100 MW immediately together with storage two to four hours.
Kanagagnan said he believed that the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority should identify the suitable sites and expeditiously arrange to obtain necessary clearances in an orderly manner so quotations for the projects could be undertaken early.
“Present staff strength at SLSEA needs to be increased and it is vital to set up a Renewable Energy Authority with well-motivated staff. Most of these requirements are only being talked about.”
He also said that steps should be taken to send the CEBEU top members on a training programme so that they would see how transition to renewables was being done in other countries and get first hand training using latest model analysis.
CEBEU President Saumya Kumarawadu said that at present Sri Lanka was at a top level in Asia as well as in the world. According to the long-term generation expansion plan (LTGEP) prepared for the period 2022-2041, by 2030, another 2674 MW of solar and 1113 MW of wind would be added to the system.
“Such a variable renewable energy (VRE) target requires large investments, which were a major challenge for a country like Sri Lanka, given the size of its economy,” he said.
He said for a small electrical grid like Sri Lanka’s without interconnections with other countries, for the generation of VRE through solar available only during day time and through wind of variable nature, the government would have to invest billions of USD upfront to upgrade existing electricity network, to add large battery storage of 1000-1500MW and pumped storage hydro and to develop Smart Grid technologies.
“We should try to achieve a target like this in a very planned and steady manner. We definitely need some low cost firm energy power stations to keep the system stable, to provide electricity at night, and to provide electricity at lower prices,” he stressed.
At the same time the loss due to the increased consumption of diesel in the generation of electricity at present, had risen to around Rs. 200 billion in five years. All of this was due to the reckless decision of the former President Sirisena during his 2015-2020 term, he said.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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