The President’s renewable energy targets have faced a hurdle, as experts claim that achieving 70% of the country’s electricity generation by renewable energy sources by 2030 was not practical. But prior to execution, the renewable energy plan should be included into the Ceylon Electricity Board’s (CEB) Long-Term Energy Generation Plan and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL). Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Samarakoon explained: “We are preparing the renewable energy plan to achieve 70% renewable energy by 2030 based on the instructions given by the President. Accordingly, at the end of 2018, the total renewable energy capacity reached 2,009 MW, which includes 1,399 MW of major hydro and 610 MW of other renewable energy. When queried about the solar power rates, Samarakoon stressed that there was a proposal from the CEB, stating that the present solar power rates are high and when going for tendering, solar power can be purchased at around Rs.

Source: The Nation July 17, 2021 19:18 UTC