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Wind Power News: Sri Lanka
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Regulator refuses approval for Adani wind power project
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has refused approval to award procurement of the 484 MW wind power plant in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd. (AGESL), saying the information submitted to it by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was not adequate to assess least cost and technical compatibility. A letter from the power sector regulator to the CEB’s Acting General Manager, a copy of which was obtained by the Sunday Times, shows that even basic . . . Complete story »
Adani’s wind power project in Sri Lanka hits rough weather
Last week, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mannar along with three prominent environmentalists, filed a public interest litigation in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court, challenging the proposed 250 MW Mannar Wind Power Project. In February 2023, Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment approved the development of the $442-million wind power project by Adani Green Energy. Wind power plants were to be built in Mannar and Pooneryn in Northern Sri Lanka. Indian billionaire Gautam Adani’s Adani Group is also developing a $700-million . . . Complete story »
Mannar wind farm project: another folly like Sinharaja logging project on the horizon?
Background A wind farm consisting of 30 towers generating 100MW (Phase 1 – Thambapawani) was established on the southern coast of Mannar Island in 2020, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The widespread criticism of this project due to its positioning within one of the main bird migratory corridors in the Asian region (detailed elsewhere in the article) was largely overlooked or ignored due to the economic priorities that prevailed at the time, as it happened with . . . Complete story »
Serious environmental concerns on proposed Mannar windpower facility
Proposed 250 MW windpower facility on Mannar Island would block the most important migratory bird corridor in Sri Lanka. Mannar is one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka dating back to the maritime Silk Road and the trade routes between India and Sri Lanka. It also has some of the most important wintering wetlands for migratory birds in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a signatory nation for the United Nations Convention of Migratory Species (CMS). Hence, we have a global . . . Complete story »
Mannar environmentalists demand end to wind power & ilmenite projects
Environmentalists have demanded an immediate halt to the government’s plans to implement the proposed wind power project in Mannar by India’s Adani group and ilmenite extraction project by an Australian company. Protect Manner’s Environment (PME), an environmental organization based in Pesalai, claimed that while they are supportive of renewable energy, the proposed wind farm will have a devastating impact on fishermen and farmers. “There are about 70,000 people in Pesalai. The government doesn’t see us. They only see land they . . . Complete story »
Protest held in Sri Lankan capital against proposed wind mill project by Adani Group
A demonstration was held here in the Sri Lankan capital on Thursday against the proposed wind mill project to be undertaken by India’s Adani group in the northeastern region of Mannar. The protesters from the Gotagogama (President Gotabaya go home) gathered at the busy Bambalapitiya sector south of Colombo. They held placards questioning the lack of transparency in the awarding of the project to the Adani Group while shouting slogans against the Indian business conglomerate. The 500 MW wind mill project . . . Complete story »
Tense situation as residents oppose the construction of a Wind Power Plant in Jaffna
A tense situation ensued in Jaffna following protests against a Wind Power Plant in Thanankilappu. Residents of Thanankilappu arrived at the land where the power plant is being constructed and began vandalizing the temporary structures. A clash broke out between the residents and the workers at the construction site when they attempted to prevent the residents from damaging the temporary structures. The tense situation was eased following the intervention of personnel from the Chawakachcheri Police. Police said no arrests have . . . Complete story »
Fire at a wind farm in Puttalam
Oct 29, Colombo: A fire has broken out at a private wind power plant in Daluwa, Puttalam last evening. Investigations carried out by the Norochcholai Police have revealed that the fire was caused by a technical fault which occurred inside one of the wind turbines. Residents have seen the fire erupting near the top of the wind turbine and pieces falling to the ground. The wind turbine, 100 meters in height, supplies two megawatts to the national grid. No casualties . . . Complete story »
CEB to go ahead with much debated wind power plant in Mannar
In keeping with the green policies, the government has given the green light to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to go ahead with much debated 375MW Wind Power Plant Complex in Mannar. The Sunday Leader reliably learns that that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has given a grant to do a comprehensive feasibility study of the entire Mannar Island. When contacted, CEB Chairman Anura Wijayapala stressed that there aren’t any stumbling blocks to the project. However, he said that the . . . Complete story »
Tension in the air with proposed wind plant
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) top management fears that not only will they have to give up planned coal-fired power plants in the country but proposed wind power plants as well with leading environmentalists opposing the upcoming 100MW of the planned 375MW wind power plant complex in Mannar Island. When contacted, CEB Chairman Anura Wijayapala told The Sunday Leader that when something is to be done there is opposition from various quarters and that these people should switch off their . . . Complete story »
