2018 Jun 1
It’s 2018, and while the rest of the world is doing its best to protect our environment for future generations, Sri Lanka is still not moving towards renewable sources of energy. Coal powers 40% of our local electricity demand[1]. This is having a detrimental effect on the environment we live in. So the question arises – why?
Firstly, what are we doing with our coal?
In April last year, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposed the Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan. This plan was established as an oversight of the basic principles that will govern the power sector of the country for the next 20 years.
Under the analysis of the chairman of the Strategic Enterprise Management Agency Mr. Ashoka Abeygunawardana, the CEB had proposed to provide 54% of electricity Island wide through coal[2]. This does not sit too well with the government’s current run to provide more sustainable means of power.
What is the political contention that exists in Sri Lanka with relation to coal usage?
Sri Lanka imports its coal through the Lanka Coal Company – and this is where the issue arises. A little investigation reveals that 60% of the shares at LCC are held by the CEB[2]. Both of these entities are recognized as independent bodies.
The question that is raised by most environmentalists and NGOs is the predominant conflict of interest created by the unit in charge of creating the country’s energy plan holding controller stakes at the corporation spearheading the import of coal.
The accusations leveled gained some fuel when Maithree Gunarathna, the former chairman of Lanka Coal Company, was removed from office in 2017. This action was taken by the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Mr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, based on the Attorney General’s review of coal transaction made between the years 2009 to 2016[4]. Here the Attorney General, Mr. Gamini Wijesinghe, cited loses made to the millions and had pointed in the direction of the officials that were present during the dealings.
Quite recently, the Executive Director for the Center for Human Rights and Research, Mr. Keerthi Tennakoon, claimed that the Power and Energy sector is turning out to be the most corrupt enterprise in the country[5]. He mentions that while every country is moving towards a greener approach to energy whilst moving away from substances such as coal, the Sri Lankan policy makers are moving towards it, short sighted, and in a self serving manner.
Speaking with Pulse, Environmentalist Jayantha Wijesinghe, the convener for the Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka, stated that the problem with the CEB being in charge of spearheading the process is three fold.
He mentions that the process loses its credibility as coal powers 40% of the electricity within the country today, and with the people in charge of coal importation making policy recommendations, a large amount of leverage against the government has been built. He secondly suggests that the relevant authorities lack the skill and awareness to move to more far sighted energy solutions compatible with the 21st century. Finally, he goes on to suggest that a large amount of corrupt transactions occur behind the scenes painting a very convoluted picture to the public[6].
Every year, there is an average 7%-8% growth in the energy requirement of the country. The solutions implemented should cater to this demand and at the same time cater to the requirements established in protecting the environment.
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has been pointed out as a worthy substitute in creating the energy framework that the country should abide by. This has been backed by most NGOs and has been endorsed as providing the protection the people needs, as it the commission’s duty to approve the plans set forth by the CEBto see if it aligns with the direction the government has taken for its people.
On this stand point, the PUCSL has not approved the Least Cost Long Term Generation Expansion Plan, and only approved the plan for the next 5 years. Counter to which they put forth their own view of how energy acquisition should take place. The PUCSL endorsed the use of LNG power plants as a short term investment, and in the long run move to more renewable sources of energy. This very prominent contrast provided between the 2 agencies has given rise to new level of debate.
The CEB engineers have put to question the authority the PUCSL has in rejecting the plan and pushes the PUCSL on claims of bias towards LNG imports for personal benefit. This has proven to be a very disheartening deadlock situation.
Is renewable energy a serious substitute?
Quite recently the UNDP had also suggested that Sri Lanka has the potential to run completely on renewable energy sources by around year 2030, if implementation procedures begin now[7]. They have provided a structured approach in how this can occur as well, and has put a lot of minds into thinking what exactly is possible.
It is time to dig deeper as a community in realizing the position Sri Lanka is today, and where it is going tomorrow. Can we really afford to keep saying the word “corrupt” at every corner of a discussion related to public service?
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http://www.ceb.lk/yesterday-electricity/
http://www.ft.lk/article/623413/Sri-Lanka-s-electricity-generation-plan-2018-2037
http://www.lankacoal.lk/about-us.html
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/50884
http://www.chrsrilanka.com/news/view/6581/
http://www.ft.lk/article/623413/Sri-Lanka-s-electricity-generation-plan-2018-2037
https://www.undp.org/content/dam/LECB/docs/pubs-reports/UNDP-LECB-Assessment-Sri-Lanka-Power-Sector.pdf
