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Primary energy options to be considered in meeting future electricity demands are hydropower, fossil fuel based thermal power, nuclear power, and renewables. Suitability of these primary options is determined by a large number of factors, including costs of development, operations, and technology. Hydro options The hydro potential of Kelani and Mahaweli river basins has already been developed but more potential exists, especially in Mahaweli and in its two major tributaries, Kotmala Oya and Uma Oya.During a Master Plan Study concluded in 1989 several prospective candidate hydro projects were reviewed. Capacity is estimated to approximately 870 MW in 27 sites capable of generating electricity at long-term average costs of less than 0.15 US$ per kWh (1988 prices). The sites would be capable of generating 3,680 GWh per year under average hydrological conditions. Expansion planning studies have considered four candidate hydro projects with a total installed capacity of 266 MW and annual production of 915 GWh. The following criteria were adopted in selecting the candidate projects:
Several studies had been conducted to assess future thermal options for electricity generation in Sri Lanka:
All fossil fuel-based thermal generation in Sri Lanka will continue to depend on imports. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) presently provides all petroleum products requuired for thermal power stations. World Bank price projections published in September 2001 has been used for the present analysis. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) was studied as fuel option for the gas turbine and combined cycle plants since it is more attractive from an environmental perspective. Moreover, LNG has the advantage that it is readily burnt in combustion turbines characterized by high efficiency. However, considering large infrastructure costs involved in LNG transport, handling and storage, present studies indicate that advantages of LNG offset the disadvantages for the case of Sri Lanka at present and in the near future. The power generation technologies considered for the planning studies are:
Renewable sources Sri Lanka, being a country in the tropical belt has an abundance of renewable sources of energy. Solar, wind hydro and biomass are some of the resources that can be considered to deliver useful energy. Development of renewable technologies in Sri Lanka is at various stages. At present, costs of energy from renewable technologies are generally higher than those from conventional technologies. Wind Studies have revealed that wind is the most promising option of available new and renewable sources for grid connected power generation in Sri Lanka. The Pre-Electrification Unit of CEB carried out a resource assessment study of solar and wind potential in 1992. The study revealed an overall wind potential of 8 MW per square kilometre of open land area or an overall potential of approximately 200 MW in the south-eastern quarter of the island. The southeast of the country is exposed to both southwest and northeast monsoon winds, and wind plants in this region can yield acceptable levels of plant factor. Thus, wind being the most promising option of the available renewable sources for grid connected power generation, CEB commissioned a 3 MW pilot scale wind plant in Hambantota, in March 1999. Current operation has shown a plant factor of 12.8 per cent for the year 2000. Solar Conversion of solar energy directly to electricity is expensive for large-scale electricity production. However, it is useful and cost effective for various specialised applications, such as remote area power supply. Micro hydro Well over 400 micro hydro sites have been reported in the country especially in the central hilly areas. Most of these sites are now abandoned, and studies have revealed that only around 140 such sites could be developed to generate useful energy. Sixty of the sites are already rehabilitated and are in operation. The Master Plan Study carried out in 1988 reveals potential for:
Other Use of biomass in dendro thermal plants have attracted widespread interest as a primary energy source for electricity generation, due to its potential as an indigenous source of energy. In addition to this there are other benefits mainly resulting from reduced soil erosion, restoration of degraded lands, creation of local employment and various potential environmental benefits. Other forms of energy such as wave, OTEC and solar thermal applications are still at the demonstration stage. Hence they do not warrant serious consideration at this stage. This study does not take any of the renewable sources of energy into consideration, as they are not expected to contribute considerably to the national electrical energy requirement in the immediate future. However, renewable sources of energy will continue to play an important role in decentralised applications, in meeting electrical energy need of rural and remote communities. |
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Energy Security Section, Environment and Development Division,
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific |
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