Energy sources in Sri Lanka consists primarily of hydro, coal, fossil fuel and biomass,[1] with sources such as photovoltaics and wind power in early stages of development. Other power sources such as geothermal, gas, nuclear, peat, solar thermal and wave power are not used in the current power generation process for the national grid.
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Energy in Sri Lanka is generated by three main sources; thermal, hydroelectric and other non-conventional renewable energy sources, which includes small hydro.[1]
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydroelectric | 1,137 | 1,137 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | 1,207 | |
| Thermal | 685 | 835 | 1,233 | 1,215 | 1,115 | 1,115 | 1,115 | 1,285 | 1,290 | 1,420 | |
| Other | 16 | 27 | 43 | 77 | 89 | 112 | 122 | 153 | 187 | 220 | |
|
|
1,838 | 1,999 | 2,483 | 2,499 | 2,411 | 2,434 | 2,444 | 2,645 | 2,684 | 2,847 |
Hydroelectricity is the main source of energy in Sri Lanka, taking a share of nearly 45% of the total installed capacity in December 2009.[1] Hydroelectricity in Sri Lanka has been constantly developing since the introduction of the national grid itself, but is currently declining due to the exhaustion of its resource. Currently, ten large hydroelectric power stations are in operation, all between 38 to 210 MW, with the Victoria Dam being the largest hydroelectric source.
Although the most of the country's hydroelectric resources are depleted, the government still permits small hydro developments by the private sector up to a total installed capacity of 10 MW per project.[2]
Thermal power stations are the largest source of power in Sri Lanka, taking a share of 48% of the total installed capacity in December 2009.[1] Thermal power stations in Sri Lanka runs either on diesel, gas or other fuel oils. The first coal-fired power station, the Norocholai Coal Power Station, is expected to add the first 300 MW of coal power to the grid by November 2010, and an additional 600 MW by the year 2012. The second and last coal power station,[3] the Sampur Coal Power Station, is currently under consideration in Trincomalee.[4]
The use of wind energy was seen to be existing in the country even before 500 BC. The ancient Sinhalese used the monsoon winds to power furnaces as early as 300 BC, making Sri Lanka one of the first countries in the world to utilize wind power. Evidence of this has been found in Anuradhapura and in other cities.[5]. The development of modern wind farms has been considered by numerous local and international developers for many years. But, such developments were minimized due to the many obstacles faced in such developments in terms of both, economics and infrastructure. The first commercial grid-connected wind farm is the 3 MW Hambantota Wind Farm, located northwest of Hambantota
Unlike other power sources, power developments from this source would face many challenges during its development timeline. Poor accessibility to potential sites is the first obstacle faced during the development of a wind farm. Most key transport routes around the country are too narrow or is constructed with tight turns to support transportation of turbines larger than 600 KW. Constructing wind farms with turbines smaller than the current commercial-scale megawatt-class turbines would prove to be uneconomical due to the high cost incurred during development.
The country is also in a long battle against its poor power grid. The grid, apart from being unstable in most provinces, is only capable of handling a small increases in load at any given location, typically limited to a few megawatts. Provinces with poor grids, such as the power grids in the Northern, North Central and North Western provinces needs complete upgrade to support further commercial-scale developments. This factor contributes to a large percentage in development costs for wind farms constructed such locations.
The current government policy limit of 10 MW per wind project also would prove that, in addition to the high development costs, wind power cost-per-megawatt would significantly increase, thus further straining such developments.
Despite the many technical obstacles, a few developments totalling up to 50 MW have been proposed till September 2009.[6] In October 2009, numerous cases were files over political interference connected with the approving of wind projects, leading to a complete halt in the wind power industry in Sri Lanka.[7] The Ministry made allegations of wrongdoing in allocating energy licences, including the structuring of the wind power tariff.[8] There were also allegations that energy licenses are being sold, similar to how car licenses have been sold.[8]
From December 2009 to March 2010, permits for another 50 MW of projects were issued by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), before concerns relating to the issuing of permits were raised again,[9][10] leading to another deadlock in the industry. As of June 2010, issuing of permits for the development of private wind farms are currently stopped.
In July 2010, engineers at the Ceylon Electricity Board raised further concerns regarding the approval of private wind projects with extra high tariffs, presumably some of the highest tariffs in the world.[11] A review of the current wind power tariff is expected to be carried out on the 12 of September 2010,[12] after an agreed postponement.[13]
Grid-connected solar power has only recently been introduced. The only operational solar-powered facility is the Buruthakanda Solar Park of 1.2 MW, approved by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).[14]
Geothermal power is currently under research, although no power stations of this type is currently operational.[15][16][17]
Nuclear power was considered by the government, with intentions to implement it within 20 years.[18][19]
The current monthly end-user electricity tariffs valid from July 2011 to December 2011 are as follows:
| User | Unit (kWh)/time range | Tariff (Rs./kWh) |
Fixed Charge (Rs./kWh) |
Max. Demand Charge (Rs./kVA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (D-1) | 000-030 | 03.00 | 030.00 | 000.00 |
| 031-060 | 04.70 | 060.00 | 000.00 | |
| 061-090 | 07.50 | 090.00 | 000.00 | |
| 091-120 | 21.00 | 315.00 | 000.00 | |
| 121-180 | 24.00 | 315.00 | 000.00 | |
| ≥181 | 36.00 | 315.00 | 000.00 | |
| Religious (R-1) | 000-030 | 01.90 | 030.00 | 000.00 |
| 031-060 | 02.80 | 060.00 | 000.00 | |
| 061-090 | 02.80 | 060.00 | 000.00 | |
| 091-120 | 06.75 | 180.00 | 000.00 | |
| 121-180 | 07.50 | 180.00 | 000.00 | |
| ≥181 | 09.40 | 240.00 | 000.00 | |
| Street Lighting | ∞ | 15.60 | 000.00 | 000.00 |
| Industry (I) | I-1: ∞ | 10.50 | 240.00 | 000.00 |
| I-2: Day (05:30-18:30) | 10.45 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| I-2: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 13.60 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| I-2: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 07.35 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| I-3: Day (05:30-18:30) | 10.25 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| I-3: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 13.40 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| I-3: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 07.15 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| Hotel (H) | H-1: ∞ | 19.50 | 240.00 | 000.00 |
| H-2: Day (05:30-18:30) | 13.00 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| H-2: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 16.90 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| H-2: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 09.10 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| H-3: Day (05:30-18:30) | 12.60 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| H-3: Peak (18:30-22:30) | 16.40 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| H-3: Off-peak (22:30-05:30) | 08.85 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 | |
| General Purpose (GP) | GP-1: ∞ | 19.50 | 240.00 | 000.00 |
| GP-2: ∞ | 19.40 | 3,000.00 | 850.00 | |
| GP-3: ∞ | 19.10 | 3,000.00 | 750.00 |
In July 2010, the Ministry of Power and Energy, along with the Lanka Electricity Company and the Ceylon Electricity Board introduced net metering for the first time, where consumers could generate their own power from renewable sources and credit excess production back to the power utility.[21] Although, the power utility will not pay-back irrespective of how much credit a household generates, while also allowing to transfer this credit between households.[22] The first solar power facility, intended for net metering was commissioned in July 2010.[23]
The agreement involves the linking of the national grids of India and Sri Lanka via Rameshwaram in south India, and Talaimannar in north-west Sri Lanka. The project involves the construction of a HVDC connection between Madurai in southern India, and Anuradhapura in central Sri Lanka, through the Palk Strait. The link would measure 285 kilometres (177 mi) in length, including 50 kilometres (31 mi) of submarine cables, and would take more than three years to construct. It would be implemented by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Ceylon Electricity Board.[24]
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