Coalition Against Coal hails move to cancel Sampur
The Coalition Against Coal is thanking the government for deciding to cancel the proposed Coal Power plant that was to be set up in Sampur.
Following is a letter sent by the Coalition Against Coal to both the President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe…
This is a landmark decision made in the interests of the people of Sri Lanka and its future generations who will owe you a debt of gratitude for protecting our citizens and saving the environment of our beautiful island.
That despite many pressures, you stayed true to the Paris Agreement to reduce our carbon footprint and not add to it. That by your wise decision, you have saved the unique marine ecosystem of the Trincomalee Bay area, preserving the pristine coral reefs and the largest breeding ground of blue whales in the world, not to mention the myriads of other marine species which will be preserved for our children and their grandchildren.
That the people of Sampur who suffered 30 years of conflict – whose lands were only recently restored and would have lost their lands once again to make room for the coal power plant, can now look forward with confidence to their lands being returned to them once again as the 500 acres ear marked for the coal power project will no longer be required. They are eternally grateful to you as they will now get to cultivate their lands and finally restart their lives. This is the reconciliation they sought.
That together we have saved our ancient cultural treasures that have stood the test of time for thousands of years will not be subject to the acid rain and toxins that would have destroyed them had the Sampur coal power plant gone ahead. That the people already suffering with CKD in the North Central Province areas will not have the added toxins from the fall out of sulphur dioxide, lead and other heavy metals making them even more sick and instead will be saved from this double calamity.
For all those people who still insist that coal power is a cheaper option, creating a fear that there is a looming power crisis as a result of the cancellation of the Sampur Coal Power plant, we say this:
Today coal is no longer cheap, the human cost and environmental damage is hugely underestimated. The world is moving away from dirty fossil fuels like coal and moving on to clean renewable energy sources, many options of which Sri Lanka is blessed with such as solar and wind power, which we have an unlimited supply as well as sustainably grown biomass with the many attendant spin off benefits. Your recent announcement of the “Surya Bala Sangramaya” and the plan to grow one billion Gliricidia trees will provide the necessary impetus for the speedy development of these renewable resources of energy.
With the many advancements that have been made globally in the recent past for renewable energy sources, we are confident that with the right expertise Sri Lanka can find immediate and longer term sustainable solutions at a cheaper price that will not harm the people of Sri Lanka and our environment. That we had the freedom to speak out and have open debates on this subject and above all that our voices were heard with due consideration given, demonstrates a new future for civil society and the people of Sri Lanka.
The Coalition Against Coal will continue to watch over our country’s environment and work towards ensuring a sustainable future for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. What comforts us most is that we know you share the same dream as us to keep Sri Lanka protected and sustainable for the long term.
Finally, may we caution you against the misinformation and many opinions expressed by the pro coal lobby who are now resorting to fear mongering and attempting to pressure your esteemed office to go for ‘clean coal’ which we all know is still highly polluting and toxic. As with any form of fossil fuel, the current level of technology available can only contribute to marginally reduce the harmful toxins but can never be completely eliminated. The cost of such technology is also much higher, making the argument for cheap energy redundant and can no longer be justified.
We earnestly request you and the government to pursue expeditiously the current programs of the government to harness the bounty of nature via solar and wind power, now at historically low costs, while implementing best practices to manage demand and transmission losses to avoid all possible power shortage outcomes in the future.
(Source: Daily News)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka welcomes 2 millionth tourist, marking historic milestone December 26, 2024
- Sri Lanka Police introduces nighttime traffic rules to enhance safety December 26, 2024
- Today marks 20 years since 2004 Tsunami Disaster December 26, 2024
- Wasantha Handapangoda passes away December 25, 2024
- PM Harini Amarasuriya calls for togetherness, gratitude, and peace this Christmas December 25, 2024
Will you get any investors to come to our country the government will fall with the country bcoming chaotic with no jobs it is misleading by Onlanka to show coal power stations with short chumminess pumping flue gasses to the local atmosphere it is diesel power stations and vehicles that pump into the local atmosphere, Coal fueled power stations have 100 meter chimneys and as such they pump into the global atmosphere. Does Kandy have a coal power station but its atmosphere is heavily polluted from vehicles, Colombo is the same so is most of the urban cities in Sri Lanka the delay in the coal power program will cause a loss of over a billion rupees per day for BOT coal power station will give a kWh at Rs 6 while a kWh from solar will cost more that Rs. 100 as such how can we develop our country Please consult the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka not non Engineers Like our President or our Prime Minister
Please let the people know what is the cost per kWh of solar from the solar panels that were fixed in different parts of the country 2 years ago to select the best site for a 500 Mw solar project from the the amount of units generated by the solar panel for one year and the cost of the solar panel the cost per kWh could be computed in my opinion it may be several Hundreds of Rupees while a kWh from coal would cost Rs 6 as such you can guess why any politician wants to go for solar either ignorance or for some benefit but in the end we the people will suffer immensely
Hi, this is a rough estimate of the costs of SURYA BALA SANGRAMAYA
Cost of Surya Bala sangramaya, PART I : Burden to Sri Lanka’s economy:
Let’s say 2 kW per house hold
1 kW solar = Rs. 200,000/=
2 KW solar = Rs. 400,000/=
1 Million Houses = Rs. 400,000 * 1,000,000 = Rs. 400 Billion
Amount of capacity = 2 kW * 1,000,000 = 2000 MW
Our day demand = 2000 MW
Sure we can achieve this demand for the Period of 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in a day assuming clouds won’t come in all 365 days.
Cost of Surya Bala sangramaya, PART II: Cost and the burden to CEB
Solar company sells a unit (kwh) to CEB at an amount of Rs. 22 /=
CEB sells this unit to the customers at a cost of Rs. 15/=, so the burden is Rs. 7/=
The plant factor, let’s assume it being 19%(This is the plant factor of newly built 10 MW solar plant at Hambantota and for the PV panels, it is under 19%)
If the targeted 2000MW turns to energy; = 2000 * 24*365*19% = 3,329 GWh
Sri Lanka needs about 12,000 GWh annually and even after having PV panels installed in 1 Million house holds, it only serves 25% of Energy demand.
Converting to electricity units = 3,329 * 1000,000
= 3,329,000,000
Total cost to CEB for buying these units = Rs. 22 * 3,329,000,000 = Rs. Million 73,238 (73 Billion)
Let’s calculate the burden at breakeven point at which CEB is selling the above 3,328 GWh units.
Total burden (Annual) = Rs. 7 * 3,329,000,000 = Rs. Million 23,303 (23 Billion)
I know that One Million won’t come in a hurry and let’s assume it will be completed after five years from now. Then we can derive the cost to CEB and burden for the first 7 years.
Total cost = Rs. 73 Billion * 7 = Rs. 511 Billion
Total Burden = Rs. 23 Billion * 7 = Rs. 161 Billion
Cost of Surya Bala sangramaya, PART III: Due to intermittency
This means, when a cloud comes, the picture changes. There is a possibility of losing 50% of from above 2000 MW in any minute. In order to avoid blackouts due the sudden change, we should have Diesel or LNG plant.
Since the government is not allowing CEB to develop the projects, the unsolicited proposals keep on coming. The unsolicited 400 MW LNG plant at Hambantota will cost about Rs. 150 Billion.
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2016/11/06/dubious-us-1b-chinese-project-for-htota/
Roughly 1000 MW plant will cot around = Rs. 350 Billion
Energy Charges to CEB (Assuming the same price as solar; Rs. 22/=, Plant factor being 70%)
No. of Units = 1000 * 24* 365 * 0.7
= 6, 132 GWh
Energy Charges (Let’s forget about Capacity Charges) = Rs. 22 * 6,132* 1000,000
= Rs. 134 Billion
Energy Charges for Seven years (Let’s forget about Capacity Charges) = 7 * Rs. 134 Billion
= Rs. 938 Billion
Therefore, giving due recognition and waving off other costs of SURYA BALA SANGRAMAYA, the total cost for SEVEN years can be calculated adding all the above three parts.
TOTAL COST = Rs. (400 Billion + 511 Billion + 938 Billion)
= Rs. 1, 849 Billion
These are only rough estimates.
However, many are arguing these prices can be dealt with environmental friendly and generous Sri Lankan citizens who are willing to pay this amount. The arguments are then move to convince that shifting to solar will secure the energy in Sri Lanka. This fails when a cloud comes over your roof top, at the night, when it is raining etc..
BUT YOU DON’T NEED A SECURITY WHEN THE MONEY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON THE DESK.