China entry in a big way in solar power generation
The newest Chinese involvement in Sri Lanka is providing solar power. At present the energy consumption in Sri Lanka is analysed as hydro-electricity 41.39 per cent; fossil fuel power 53.37 per cent and non-traditional recycled and renewable energy 8.24 per cent.
To explain the Chinese involvement in providing solar energy to Sri Lanka, a seminar on “The Positive Impact on Solar Energyand of Integrating Solar-Hydro Power sources on Clean Energy Production in Sri Lanka” was held in Colombo, last week, with Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy as chief guest.
Integration of solar power to hydro power grid would be implemented with the collaboration of three institutions – Henergy Group Ltd, China; China National Machinery Importers and Exporters Corporation (CMC) and Mawella Holdings Sri Lanka.
Ms Helen Zhang, Vice President, Henergy Group addressing the seminar said that the integration of solar power to the main hydro power grid would bring in enormous benefits to Sri Lanka where the hydro power could be preserved for the peak hours, while the solar power could be used to the optimum during the day time.
She said that solar power not only provides energy, but it would make Sri Lanka strong with clean energy since solar power is completely environmentally friendly and saves foreign exchange in reducing import of fossil fuel.
The largest quantity of energy procured by renewable energy such as solar power in China is provided by Henergy Group, she pointed out and said that her organization has 20 years experience in providing power to China. Therefore, she said that they would be the best people to assist Sri Lanka to get the maximum benefit from solar power.
She said that with solar power integration the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) could obtain 10 per cent of energy with non-traditional renewable energy in 2015 and this quantity could be doubled by 2020.
She indicated that the CEB is now focused to obtain power through the means of renewable energy such as solar power and they are determined to reduce dependence on fossil fuel.
There are a number of advantages that a country could accrue by using solar power, Ms Zhang said and indicated that one of the advantages is the vast technical experience that is available globally for large investments on solar power and in Sri Lanka. She said there is a huge potential to develop it in large scale.