Paving the way towards an Energy Secure Sri Lanka

A Training workshop was for Energy Managers held at Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation (BCGR), at Battaramull on 26^th April 2022. Mr. Sanath Kirthsiri (Director-Industrial Services) conducted it as the key resource person of SLSEA. Sixteen newly appointed Energy Mangers of Senapura, Kandakadu, Vauniya rehabilitation centers and the head office attended the workshop. Practical sessions will be conducted in the relevant sites next month.

It was conducted on the invitation extended by the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation from SLSEA.

SLSEA participated the above exhibition held on 29^th-30^th March, 2022 orginsed by the Commercial Bank to create a platform for entrepreneur skill development. It was held at ‘Diyata Uyana’, Battaramulla attended by large number of entrepreneurs. The chairman of SLSEA Eng. Ranjith Sepala attended the inauguration ceremony along with the other distinguished invitees.

We were invited to be a in it by having an information desk to provide information to SMEs.

Awareness on energy conservation was held at Mas Holdings Silueta (Pvt) Ltd, at Biyagama factory staff on 28th March 2022. Mr. Sanath Kirthsiri (Director-Industrial Services) conducted it being the resource person of SLSEA. The total of 80 attendance of Silueta factory attended the programme. Quiz programme too was conducted in par with the awareness & winners received LED bulbs as gifts.

It was conducted for an official request made by the Management of Mas Holdings from SLSEA.

His Excellency the President visited the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, the regulatory body in the field of renewable energy, today, 18/02/2022.

The purpose of this visit was to explore the possibility of using 70% of the total electricity generation from renewable energy by 2030 as stated in the “Vistas of Prosperity” policy framework of His Excellency the President.

The President personally inspected every aspect of the institution and inquired about the work being done by those divisions in relation to the energy sector.

He also paid special attention to the Solar Energy program and inquired about the 422 megawatts of solar power added to the national grid through the Solar Energy program, and also discussed the possibility of speeding up the construction of large scale solar power plants in the future.

He also explored the potential for energy efficiency and conservation to contribute to the current energy crisis in the country. Another objective of the visit was to look into the delays in approving new renewable energy projects and to expedite those projects.

Duminda Dissanayake, State Minister of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Project Development, Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the Ministry, Hemantha Samarakoon, Secretary to the Ministry and several senior officials of the CEB were also present on the visit.

The Director General of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka addressed the workers on the task assigned to him to make the aspirations of the people of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka a reality and said, "Let us all work together to achieve energy goals in the face of the economic challenges facing the country."

Afterwards, the Chairman addressed the employees of the company and stated that we are committed to achieving the target of 70% of the country's energy needs by renewable energy by 2030 and achieving 30% energy savings.

According to the current Government's Vistas of Prosperity Policy Statement, 70% of the country's electricity needs should be met from renewable energy. To achieve this goal, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka has commenced preliminary work on setting up a solar-wind hybrid power plant in the Poonaryn area. One of its main functions is to "evaluate environmental and social impacts." The work is being done jointly by WAPCOS India and Consultant Engineers and Architects Sri Lanka.

As a further step, a meeting of representatives of government agencies in the Northern Province who are involved as project partners in various ways was convened at the Kilinochchi District Secretary.  It was held on 22.12.2021 at the District Secretariat, Kilinochchi under the patronage of Mrs. R.K.Theeshwaran.

At the meeting, a number of issues pertaining to the project, such as the contribution and cooperation of government agencies in obtaining approvals for the project expeditiously and without delay were discussed.

The Chairman of our Authority, Engineer Ranjith Sepala and the engineers as well as the officers were present for this occasion.

A series of seminars were held on the 16th and 17th December 2021 on the importance of home energy conservation methods and electricity saving for dwelling houses. This was for the benefit of youth receiving rehabilitation at rehabilitation centers in Kandakadu, Navasenapura and Vavuniya.

Through a series of seminars sponsored by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, the resident youth were made aware of the importance of rehabilitating and reintegrating into their homes, and the methods that can be used to conserve energy in their home. It also made them aware of the economic and environmental value they can add to the economy of their families and the country in general.

Engineer Mangala Wijetilleke, Deputy Director, Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, and other officials including Army officers were present on the occasion. Our thanks to the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Major General (Retd.) D D U K Hettiarachchi who made all the necessary arrangements.

According to the current government's "Vistas of Prosperity" policy statement, 70% of the country's electricity needs must be met by renewable energy. This will require about 70,000 skilled technicians. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka (SLSEA) has launched a series of training programs on solar technology in collaboration with the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) with the aim of bringing forward the youth with the technical knowledge required to achieve that goal.

As a further step, a team of 200 electricians scattered in the Sabaragamuwa Province on 24/12/12/2021 was provided with the necessary technical knowledge and training on the installation of solar systems. After 6 months, they will be awarded the NVQ 3 Level Solar Photovoltaic System Technology Evaluation Certificate.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka (SLSEA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) have launched this program with the aim of training 1000 technicians islandwide by the year 2021. It will support the emergence of skilled technicians in the solar sector in Sri Lanka as well as support the Government's policy of meeting 70% of renewable energy demand.

Mr. J M Athula Jayatunga, Director (Renewable Energy Services) of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, Mr. Suriyakumara Hettiarachchi, Deputy Director (Solar Technology), Mr. Padmadeva Samaranayake, Project Coordinator and other officials were also present on the occasion.

The Educational Training Project on Prototype Manufacturing of Solar Panels has organised an event to celebrate the National Science Week declared by the State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation. The main objectives of this programme are to provide public awareness on ongoing research initiative related to prototype manufacturing of cost efficient solar cells/panels in Sri Lanka, training the technical staff on installation and maintenance of solar PV project with NVQ Level 3 & 4 certification for the first time in Sri Lanka, and promoting the utilisation of solar energy through a seminar, live demonstrations and a discussion by a panel of experts.

The Project is being implemented at the University of Kelaniya, University of Jaffna and the University of Peradeinya. National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) are partners of this project.

It was held on 14th November 2021 at the University of Kelaniya and attended by dignitaries from relevant institutions. Certificates fort trainees of the first batch of Solar Technician Training Programme of NAITA were awarded by Mr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, Director General of SLSEA.

The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority has launched an awareness program for pre-school teachers with the aim of inculcating the knowledge of energy conservation and environmental conservation in the minds of pre-school children.

At the same time, a children's cartoon 'Hulang Mama' has been created based on Piyal Udaya Samaraweera's book 'Hulang Mama'.

The purpose of this article was to inspire the child who plays with a wind toy to become a designer, engineer or innovator of a wind power plant that will supply electricity to the country of tomorrow.

It is estimated that at least 600 MW of capacity requires to be added annually from solar generation to achieve the renewable energy target set out by the Government Policy. Currently about 10,000 technicians are working in the solar industry of which majority do not possess recognized professional qualification in solar system technology. In line with annual addition of new solar systems/capacity, solar industry requires 5000 qualified technicians annually. Currently vocational training industry have very low number of instructors and assessors for solar technology trainings and assessments. Therefore, Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka(PUCSL) jointly launched a program to provide enough trainers and assessors to cater for the future demand for training programs in solar technology.

The first batch of training the professional electricians as assessors in Solar Photovoltaic System Technology evaluations in NVQ 3 level successfully initiated in Hambantota Solar Energy Park on 09.10.2021 with the participation of fifteen numbers of electricians. The logistics & resources persons for the training are sponsored by SLSEA. It was conducted jointly by Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) & Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL)& aimed to train 2000 nos of Electricians Island wide. Which in turn will fill the vacuum of assessors in Solar PV sector in Sri Lanka & in turn will assist the government’s policy to achieve 70% electricity demand from Renewable Energy (RE) source.

His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his views on sustainable energy development activities addressing the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy, which was held in parallel to the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly.

The President emphasized that the global community should give the highest priority to maintain the health of the planet while fulfilling human needs, considering the gravity of the human induced climate change risks. HE the President explained how Sri Lanka is committed to the sustainable energy, such as the declared target of achieving 70% of Electricity needs through renewable energy by 2030, co-leading the Energy Compact for No New Coal Power, promoting 7,000 small scale solar projects across the country, and the recent commissioning of the largest wind power plant in Sri Lanka.

The final aim of the country is to make energy sector of Sri Lanka as Carbon neutral by 2050 through stepping away from fossil fuel and promoting de-carbonization. The President requested the capable countries to support developing nations in their attempts to increase the sustainable energy generation and use. The President further welcomes the large scale renewable energy investments including solar, wind and biomass energy over the next decades to Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) has planned to conduct an online capacity-building programme under the theme of Energy Management & Conservation for the hotel industry.

The main objective of this programme is to build the capability of the technical staff in the hotel industry, in order to reinstate the current situation during the present global pandemic, by improving energy utilization efficiency.

This programme will be held from 25th August to 16th September 2021. Duration will be 2 hrs per day (2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.) for 8 days.

Those who wish to participate can register by sending an email to energymanager.slsea@gmail.com.

Mr. Sulakshana Jayawardena assumed duties on 08^th April 2021 as the Acting Director General of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA). The Chairman (SLSEA) Eng. Ranjith Sepala and officials from Ministry of Power graced the occasion.

He is presently serving as the Director of Development of State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Project Development. He is a Science graduate of the University of Peradeniya and obtained Masters from University of Colombo in Business Studies. Mr. Jayawardena has a service period of 17 years in public service and he is from Sri Lanka Administrative Service.

He has contributed to popularise the Renewable energy in Sri Lanka in numerous manners.

The above training is conducted by Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) in collaboration with National Apprentice & Industrial Training Authority (NITA) in order to train NAITA trainees.  Experts in solar field of SLSEA are conducting lectures & practical sessions. First batch is in progress at Hambanota Solar Park on 15h to 19th March 2021 with the participation of 31 nos of NITA trainees from Hambantota, Galle & Matara districts.   It has been planned to train four batches with the participation on 107 nos of NITA trainees on district basis. It will be concluded on 09th April 2021.

The launching ceremony of Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) Label for domestic refrigerators was held with the participation of the Chairman of Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) on 24^th February 2021 at Orchid Hall, BMICH. Impostors, Suppliers and local manufacturers of domestic refrigerators were invited for this forum.

Refrigerator is considered as the highest energy used electrical equipment in the household and it contributes for nearly  50% of the total electricity usage in a typical household.    Hence improving the energy efficiency of refrigerators will benefit both the consumers and the  electricity utility. The Sri Lanka Standard, SLS 1230:2003 which is for domestic refrigerators was revised and published in 2020 as SLS 1690, considering the new technologies added to the refrigeration industry during past decades.  The renewal of the standard was carried out in order to include the various technological developments that has been invaded the local market.

In order to facilitate the refrigerator energy labelling scheme and to introduce the energy label, a sophisticated refrigerator test laboratory was established by SLSEA in 2014 at the National Engineering Research & Development (NERD) Center of Sri Lanka. This is the only refrigerator test  laboratory located in Sri Lanka so far. When preparing the standard, trial tests  were carried out by the NERD center and most of the leading refrigerator suppliers  offered their support by providing refrigerator models voluntarily.

The refrigerator suppliers were educated about the technical content of the standard, laboratory tests, implementing procedure of the energy labelling scheme, , process of obtaining the MEP label etc. in the forum.  Officials from Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI), National Engineering Research & Development Centre (NERDC), National Ozone Unit (NOU) and many Government organizations were participated for this ceremony.   

Launch of Minimum Energy Performance (MEP) Label for domestic Refrigerators was held on 24^th February, 2021 at Orchid Hall, BMICH @ 2.30 p.m. It was attended by the local manufacturers and importers of the refrigerators as well as other invitees from the relevant stakeholder Institutions of the appliance labelling programme.