In the President’s election manifesto, Rajapaksa had highlighted the importance of the renewable energy sector of the country, as he stated that by 2030, it is expected that the country’s renewable energy mix would be 40% of the total portfolio, and had also anticipated that hydro and renewable energy together would account for 80% of the overall energy mix by 2030. The earlier agreed ratio was 70% of renewable energy which has now been instructed to be increased by another 20%. Furthermore, two 300 MW high-efficiency coal power plants are expected to be commissioned in 2025 and 2028 at Foul Point in Trincomalee. As identified, future coal power plant development is an integral requirement in order to cater to the power sector demand at a lower cost. According to the CEB’s generation plan, by 2025, the capacity share of coal power plants will be at 30% while natural gas power plants would be at 35%.

Source: The Nation July 10, 2021 17:37 UTC