In the renewables sector

by Ifham Nizam

Sri Lanka’s energy sector needs major revision based on a plan to ensure there are no black or grey areas, and there is stability in the grid to take renewables at scale, says a top Sri Lankan scientist based in the United Kingdom.

“I believe it is entirely possible for Sri Lanka to move towards 50% solar within a decade with the help of policymakers in terms of a credible master plan integrated to the country’s energy needs”, said Professor Ravi Silva, Director, Advanced Technology Institute at the University of Surrey, who has been awarded a CBE for his services to Science, Education and Research.

CBE (Commander of the British Empire) is the highest ranking Order of the British Empire award, followed by OBE and MBE. It ranks just below a knighthood or dame-hood.

The son of Roland Silva, a former Commissioner of Archaeology in Sri Lanka, the eminent scientist stressed the need for consistency in government policy and alignment of all stakeholders to achieve a common objective or goal such as a realistic 70% renewables target, which includes hydro.

For private sector involvement, there needs to be a clear and transparent framework. This will encourage FDI in the renewables sector, particularly with potential changes to the current electricity and regulation acts. Without independent regulation in the sector, it is difficult to envisage the consumers seeing the benefits of going green, the professor said in an email interview with The Sunday Island.

“Maybe an independent PPP for a one-stop-shop for investment in the power sector may open the doors for more private sector involvement with FDI”, he suggested.

Prof. Silva further said that Sri Lanka, as an island, is blessed with a wonderful geology with central hills surrounded by plains extending to the sea. There is also significant rainfall and a well developed hydroelectricity system in the country, with already established dams to store water that can be converted to electricity.

As a country situated close to the equator, Sri Lanka enjoys maximum solar irradiation that potentially provide all energy needs with a combination of solar, wind and pumped hydroelectricity as storage to run base load, he noted.

At prevailing market costs, solar is provided to major facilities at less than two US cents per kWhr by companies such as ‘8 Minutes’. There is no reason to stick to fossil fuels that harm the environment and costs more to the consumer in the longer term, he continued.

Prof. Silva said he delivered a talk to the National Trust in July 2019 on: “Clean, Green and Free: Solar Electricity for 2035”; where it was shown that with the help of minimal disturbance to human settlements, a distributed network of 10 solar farms of around 200MW each, (taking up in total of 100 acres) can power the nation with the help of the existing hydroelectricity network (this was based on the peak energy demand of 2016 of 2453 MW).

The idea is that pumped hydro can be used to ensure the base load is covered, and there is enough solar/renewable capacity to fit the peak power demand during the day via the solar installations, he remarked.

“My talk to the National Heritage Trust in Colombo in July 2019 was based on preserving the “heritage” of free light from the sun to the people of Sri Lanka so they can enjoy their rights much like the vistas of stupas and archaeological sites given to us by our forefathers. I strongly believe we are defined by the unique culture to which we have been born and blessed in Mother Lanka”, he noted.

“As a product of D. S. Senanayake College, I passionately believe in “country before self”, much like many of my brothers at DSS and all citizens”, he emphasized.

On Covid-19, Prof. Silva said, “Sri Lanka can define its destiny and come out of the pandemic stronger and more self-sufficient if we all believe in our nation, and develop our available resources with Sri Lankan ingenuity that exists in all sectors. We must believe and trust in evidence-based decision-making, and place faith in our industry to bring high-value products through science and technology to the markets.

“We must be proud to wear the “Made in Sri Lanka” label on both consumables and technology, and help build a better and more sustainable world for the generations to come”, he added.

Professor Silva was honored with a CBE for his outstanding services to Science, Education and Research over the past three decades with contributions that cut across the world.

CBE is awarded to individuals for playing a prominent role at national level, or a leading role at regional level and also for distinguished and innovative contribution to any area.