Ecological and economic cost of Adani’s wind power in Mannar
Sri Lankans would be forced to pay exorbitant rates for energy derived from wind power by India’s Adani Green Energy project on the northwestern Mannar coast.
“We are being forced to buy power at 4 US cents per unit for 25 years when the market rate is just 2 US cents,” said Rohan Pethiyagoda, a biodiversity scientist, speaking at a forum in Colombo on Tuesday to protest against the Mannar project which, according to other observers, has political ramifications. The forum was organised by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) to highlight the environmental destruction and the colossal economic loss from this contentious project.
Mr. Pethiyagoda said it’s a ‘damn shame” that Sri Lanka has to buy power from its own resources from a foreign entity and pay in foreign cash. “This kind of foreign investment, which reeks of corruption, is harmful to Sri Lanka,” he added.
The biggest problem in this 250 MW wind power project is the danger to an important eco system where Mannar serves as a crucial entry/exit point for one million migratory birds and this project threatens their very existence. The project envisages the installation of 50 or more turbines (windmills) which would be in the path of the passage of migratory birds. “Some birds could get destroyed while flying in this path while others may move away from the blades of the windmills,” said Prof. Sampath S. Seneviratne, Professor in Zoology, University of Colombo, adding that Mannar would be unusable for birds.
Environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardene, referring to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project, said there were major flaws in the report for which public comments are accepted until March 6 adding that there was no justification for selecting Mannar instead of a less damaging location. The Ceylon Electricity Board already has a 103.5MW wind power farm in Mannar.
Mr. Pethiyagoda said it’s a ‘damn shame” that Sri Lanka has to buy power from its own resources from a foreign entity and pay in foreign cash. “This kind of foreign investment, which reeks of corruption, is harmful to Sri Lanka,” he added.