A national plan for energy, Vol. 1

Abstract

Energy is of strategic value for the maintainance of life itself in settlements - both urban and rural. Presently, Sri Lanka is heavily rsT'.nt on Electricity, Petrol urn , and Woodfuel for the various acljvitiss requiring energy. However, these commodities are becoming expensive and scarce and crisis situations havs arisen threatening the economic fabric in settlements. . ' it is thorefory iii.i&ly to take stock anfl^to be prepared. The present situations indicates that tnergy shortages will prevail. \$ the future. The future energy sector will require to develop as many of th<;. indigenceus sources, particularly of the renewable types.. Sri Lanka has large potential of solar, wind, and bio-mass sources to develop. In terms of hydro-power, nearly twice the present power capacity (including those in the. Accelerated Mahawel i Programme), has yet to be developed. Further, oil. exploration off Colombo and Mannar needs to be carried out. In addition, oil refining capacities in Trincomalee The «pal of all future energy programmes should be, to secure adequate, reliable, safe and affordable supplies to all citizens in this country. It is therefore recommended that a comprehensive National Energy Plan basedon• the concept of setternents bo formulated. It Is in a Sett!- ment Plan that present "needs, future requirement and planned activities can be found. Further it is the settlement: which form "region" which can enable regional energy situations to bv> also determined. It is also settlements which provide the National Perspective.

The Settlement approach to Energy Planning will further enable the various energy commodities to be separately identified by purpose and magnitude. , The formulation of a National Energy Plan should be prec§ded by the preparation of a "White Paper on Energy". The latter will permit widest participat'on in discussion and provide an ideal forum for forfnulatlng a comprehensive national energy policy. Th6 components of the National Energy Plan should .include forcasts, research and development, investments, inter sectoral linkages, district situations energy source Inventories, creation of civic conscionsuess, conservation and strategies.for meeting with an energy crisis situation. Thy ro-ord*nation of the Energy sector components must be seen as an urgent necessity. In this connection It is recommended that CO O r d i n a l IUI! a I poi icy i «v^ii u.? u s a i y u w io u t .^.r.-. a/' Council'^ under the Hon. Minister for Energy and co-ordination for rasearch be assigned to the-Energy Research Confer of the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.