15 September 2020 03:33 pm
Plans should be devised to meet 70% of the country’s electricity demand using renewable energy sources by 2030, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said.
The President said all countries across the globe are inclined towards the usage of renewable sources of energy abandoning fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum due to climatic changes.
According to the President’s Media Division, President Rajapaksa made these comments during a discussion with the State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday.
“We should harness renewable energy sources as much as possible for our future generations to experience a sustainable development,” he said.
He said the Government has made the promotion of renewable energy a top priority. President advised the Secretary to the President to issue a gazette calling for all the institutes to assist in this endeavour.
The President said that if all the projects selected through the tender process are not commenced within three months, the license will be revoked.
The construction of Windfarms in Mannar, Pooneryn and Siyambalanduwa is aimed at adding a significant percentage of renewable energy to the national grid, he said.
The President also stressed that the government should do all it can to encourage independent entrepreneurs to start wind or solar power projects.
Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, State Minister Duminda Dissanayake, Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Secretaries to Cabinet and State Ministries, Heads of Line Institutions and Entrepreneurs in the Energy Sector were also present at the discussion.