Solar plans see 2/3rds drop in 2022

The Sri Lankan Solar Energy industry has seen a 66 per cent drop in new solar power plants last year, compared to 2021 amply reflecting the unfeasibility of establishing new plants, thereby further putting a strain on the power supply to the national grid.

In 2021, we developed about 150 megawatts of solar plants. Only 50 such plants were developed last year, which is about a 2/3rd drop. Solar isn't a feasible investment anymore as it is very costly with the new tariff, ”Roshan Pereira, Secretary, Solar Industries Association (SEA), told the Business Times recently.

He also noted that had the 2021 trend continued then the country could have had about 175 megawatts of solar plants set up. “This would have alleviated the strain on the national grid, somewhat,” he added.

He said that with a costreflective tariff for solar as well as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) committing to its obligations, then the industry can re-establish the trend of 2021.

For nearly a year now, the industry has been calling for timely payments by the electricity supplier. The industry is grappling with the daunting task of keeping power outages to a minimum despite not being paid for 13 months, SEA President Asanka Tennakone said at a recent media conference.

Payment due to the renewable energy industry is presently used for purchasing both coal and diesel supplies required to fuel the nation's power plants. As 40 per cent of the nation's electricity demand is met by coal and oil; an installed capacity above 3 giga Watt/day meets approximately 7.5 per cent of the total energy requirement.

The value of the solar energy supplied at about Rs. 70 million offsets Rs. 300 million /day of diesel power required to match the same, Mr. Tennakone said.

With the delay of 13 months of unsettled dues, the solar industry is facing severe hardships which may develop into shutting down of these plants. While understanding that a large part of the funds is allocated on a priority basis for the purchases of coal and diesel however should not overlook the importance and the urgency of the solar industry energy supplies dues being settled on a priority basis, said SEA Vice President Kushan Jayasuriya.