Sri Lanka electricity utility goes for wind power

July 01, 2010 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s state-run electricity utility will form a separate company to set up wind power plants, Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka said. New coal-based power plants are being built or planned along with a few more hydro-power plants as most hydro-power potential has been exhausted. There is great potential to develop wind power in the country,’ he told a news conference.

The Ceylon Electricity Board intends to have its own company to harness our wind power potential which is now being done by the private sector.’

A separate firm is to be set up by the CEB in about six months time, Ranawaka said.

The CEB has approved several private sector wind power projects one of which on the north-west coast is scheduled to be connected to the grid soon.

The government has said it wants to encourage renewable energy generation to reduce dependence on high-cost oil-based thermal power plants powered.

The oil-based power plants now provide the island’s base load power.