Sri Lanka to develop renewable energy

Jun 28, 2008 - The Associated Press

COLOMBO - The Sri Lankan government said Sunday that it has designed a national energy plan for the development of wind and bio mass energy resource, making the renewable energy to meet 10 percent of the island's energy needs by the year of 2016.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Government Information, the government has decided to join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as a move to promote the development of renewable energy in the island.

"The development of indigenous renewable energy is the key solution to the current challenge on reducing the dependence on imported petroleum," said the statement.

At present, about 4 percent of Sri Lanka's electricity production is based on non-conversational renewable energy, while 2 percent of the households in Sri Lanka enjoys off-grid renewable energy systems such as solar, micro-hydro to meet their basic energy needs.

The IRENA is an intergovernmental organization for promoting the adoption of renewable energy worldwide. It aims to facilitate renewable energy technology transfer and provide experience for practical application and policies.