The Government is considering handing over projects on electricity generation using renewable energy to foreign companies, most likely Chinese companies, the Ceylon Electricity Workers’ Union (CEWU) has charged.
According to The Morning, the CEWU has alleged that the Government is looking at amending the Sri Lanka Electricity Act for this purpose.
CEWU General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal said several sections of the Act are to be amended to enable foreign companies to obtain licenses to generate electricity using solar and wind power.
Stating that CEWU has received information that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is preparing to purchase the electricity that would be generated by such foreign companies, he said it is to be purchased at Rs. 22 per unit.
Jayalal noted that in comparison local power generators offer electricity for purchase at as little as Rs. 8, pointing out that the CEB would be paying an additional Rs. 14 per unit in purchasing from foreign firms.
He added that the Electricity Act is being amended with the intervention of State Minister of Solar Power, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Duminda Dissanayake, under whose purview is the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority.
However, Secretary to the Ministry of Power Wasantha Perera has denied the allegations made by the CEWU.
Explaining that most of Sri Lanka’s power generation is done via private investment, she said as the investors find it hard to travel to Sri Lanka at present, the President had appointed a committee to look into it and make proposals to resolve the related issues.
Perera said the committee appointed by the President had made proposals regarding several such issues, adding that they were not detrimental to the country and will not be implemented against national policies. (NewsWire)