Institutions must assist in the promotion of renewable energy - President

President Rajapaksa made this comment on Monday (14) at the Presidential Secretariat on future plans of the State Ministry of Solar, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Project Development.

Renewable energy sources should be used in order to pave the way for sustainable development that will enable future generations to reap its benefits, said the President according to the President's Media Division.

"Institutions vested with the authority to approve power generation projects should compile and maintain feasibility reports and the approval should be granted in an expeditious manner," said the President.

The President added if approval is not granted for a project within 14 days, it should be considered as approved.

The Secretary to the President was instructed to issue a circular to all institutions to provide necessary assistance for the promotion of renewable energy.

The President noted the projects selected via a tender process that fail to commence operations within three months should have their licenses revoked.

According to the President's Media Division, almost all countries are moving away from coal, furnace oil, and fossil fuel and moving towards renewable energy considering the impact of climate change.

The annual energy demand in the country increases by around 06%, said the PMD adding with the commencement of development projects, the energy requirement would also increase rapidly.