Abstract:
This report presents a research carried out on rural electrification in Sri Lanka. This
research mainly involves surveys and rural electrification policy studies. The analysis
was carried out in a selected district in Sri Lanka.
The first stage of the project was devoted to gathering the data about present
electrification level in Sri Lanka. In this stage, the collected data was organized in a
manner that enables comparison between the data components. To identify the barriers
for electrification, it was decided to conduct three surveys in un-electrified villages, off
grid-electrified villages and un-electrified houses in grid electrified villages. Separate
questionnaires were prepared for each survey.
The survey in un-electrified villages was carried out in 10 villages in the Ratnapura
district. The goal of this survey was to identify the existing barriers in rural
electrification. The results of this survey were summarized and nine major barriers for
rural electrification were identified. The identified barriers were categorized and ranked
using a method developed by the researcher. In this ranking procedure, the opinions of
the villagers were taken in to consideration, because those people have experienced these
barriers for more than 20 years.
The second survey was carried out to observe the existing situation of present off grid
projects, specially the micro-hydro power projects, which are functioning properly in
Ratnapura district. Five off grid power plants were selected for this survey. Major
problems prevailing in the above micro-hydro projects were pin pointed and the
contributions that villagers can make- to overcome these problems were identified.
IV
Third survey was carried out in 5 grid-electrified villages to identify Problems existing in unelectrified
houses. Four major barriers were identified in this survey. In these surveys social data
too were collected for a better analysis. More than 90% of the villagers in a particular village were
interviewed to obtain better survey result.
The rural electrification policy study was carried out to identify what improvements could be made
to the policies, to have solutions to the survey results. This policy study and possible strategies
were analyzed by considering the suitable policy evaluation criteria. Not availability of clear
policy for rural electrification in Sri Lanka is a major issue. Identification of areas where nation
grid can be extended, policy must support to the rest of the areas of electrification through off grid
electrification options.
In addition possible strategies were analyzed as solutions to these problems. Integrated rural
development, grid extension and isolated power generation, area coverage and intensification can
give signification contribution to remove or reduce these barriers. In addition policy improvement
also can give significant contribution to solve these barriers.
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