Viability of Introducing Wind Energy as a Renewable Energy Source in Sri Lanka
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- Date Submitted: 01/29/2010 01:36 AM
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Viability of Introducing Wind Energy as a Renewable Energy Source in Sri Lanka
Wind power has become one of the world’s fastest growing energy sources. The technology is becoming more and more sophisticated in terms of efficiency, cost effectiveness and ease of installation. Especially small wind turbines are a viable alternative for the areas that have no access to electricity. During last few decades, thermal and hydro plants were the dominant energy contributors and utilization of renewable energy resources was relatively small. The steep rise in oil prices depicts the importance of switching to renewable sources which are quite environment friendly and cost effective.
Sri Lanka has considerable available land with wind resource potential sufficient for development. It is essential to identify key policy, regulatory, business and infrastructure issues that affect wind energy development and recommend step to encourage and support wind power development and investment. The Ceylon Electricity Board implements 3 MW pilot wind farm in Hambantota district, demonstrating the commercial viability and long term economic potential of wind power in Sri Lanka and catalyzing private sector wind farm development. In Sri Lanka systematic studies involving the development of wind energy commenced in 1988 by CEB. The most promising wind potential sites that were identified include
▪ Southern coast-Hambantota to Buthawa
▪ West coast-Kalpitiya peninsula
▪ Northwest coast-Mannar Island
▪ North coast-Jaffna district
▪ Central province-Ambewela area
The 3 MW demonstrating wind farm consisting of five 46m towers with 600 kW turbines to supply a total annual capacity
of about 4.5 GWh. International bidding resulted in a competitive unit cost of about US$ 1,175/kWh. The wind farm is successfully interconnected to the national grid and it operates at an average capacity factor of 14% which is rather lower than the projected value...
Wind power has become one of the world’s fastest growing energy sources. The technology is becoming more and more sophisticated in terms of efficiency, cost effectiveness and ease of installation. Especially small wind turbines are a viable alternative for the areas that have no access to electricity. During last few decades, thermal and hydro plants were the dominant energy contributors and utilization of renewable energy resources was relatively small. The steep rise in oil prices depicts the importance of switching to renewable sources which are quite environment friendly and cost effective.
Sri Lanka has considerable available land with wind resource potential sufficient for development. It is essential to identify key policy, regulatory, business and infrastructure issues that affect wind energy development and recommend step to encourage and support wind power development and investment. The Ceylon Electricity Board implements 3 MW pilot wind farm in Hambantota district, demonstrating the commercial viability and long term economic potential of wind power in Sri Lanka and catalyzing private sector wind farm development. In Sri Lanka systematic studies involving the development of wind energy commenced in 1988 by CEB. The most promising wind potential sites that were identified include
▪ Southern coast-Hambantota to Buthawa
▪ West coast-Kalpitiya peninsula
▪ Northwest coast-Mannar Island
▪ North coast-Jaffna district
▪ Central province-Ambewela area
The 3 MW demonstrating wind farm consisting of five 46m towers with 600 kW turbines to supply a total annual capacity
of about 4.5 GWh. International bidding resulted in a competitive unit cost of about US$ 1,175/kWh. The wind farm is successfully interconnected to the national grid and it operates at an average capacity factor of 14% which is rather lower than the projected value...