The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has incurred a loss of Rs. 3,300 million due to the unlawful handover of a 100 megawatt solar power generation project in Siyambalanduwa to a high bidder, alleged a group called the ‘Lankan People’s Collective’.
Its chairman Peshala Serasinghe asked president Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the tender and call for a fresh one.
Of the two bidders, Rividanavi got the tender, with the former leaders responsible for granting it to the high bidder, causing the loss, he said.
It appears a certain top CEB official encourages sources other than renewable energy, such as diesel and coal.
Serasinghe said further the CEB is still haunted by the old automatons that instigate commission-taking.
It will be a strength to the economy to turn to solar and other renewable energy sources that reduce the cost of production, he told the media yesterday (02).
The industry is able to generate 100,000 direct and 300,000 indirect employment opportunities, he said.
He noted the present regime intends to add 2,000 mw of renewable energy to the national grid by 2030.
Presently, around 80,000 rooftop solar panels are in operation in the country, with a capacity for extension with appropriate state policies, said Serasinghe.
(The Leader)
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