Prasakthi launches 3.5 MW biomass power plant in Wilachchiya
Dendro project adds to Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity By Ifham Nizam Prasakthi Energy has launched its 3.5 MW biomass dendro power project in Wilachchiya, Anuradhapura, adding to Sri Lanka’s efforts to diversify electricity generation and strengthen the role of locally sourced renewable energy in the national power supply. The project uses woody biomass to […]
Prasakthi Energy has inaugurated a 3.5 MW biomass dendro power plant in Wilachchiya, Anuradhapura, bolstering Sri Lanka's commitment to diversifying its electricity generation and bolstering locally sourced renewable energy. This project makes use of woody biomass to produce electricity and represents a progression in a sector long recognized for its potential to lessen reliance on imported fossil fuels and generate economic opportunities via energy crop cultivation and supply.
The 3.5 MW dendro power plant at Wilachchiya (Dunumatalawa) received approval from the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority on January 10, 2023, with a proposed grid connection to the Anuradhapura 132 kV network.
Biomass generation gains renewed relevance as Sri Lanka broadens its renewable energy portfolio beyond hydropower, solar, and wind sources. Unlike weather-dependent solar and wind plants, biomass power plants can generate electricity when fuel supplies are accessible and the facility is operational, providing a more controllable renewable electricity source. However, the commercial viability of biomass power heavily relies on fuel costs, dependable supplies, and plant efficiency.
Sri Lanka has been cultivating dendro power for decades, primarily with gliricidia (wetamara), a tree species suitable for energy production. This approach entails cultivating appropriate trees, harvesting the wood, and utilizing it as fuel for electricity generation. The concept has generated interest due to its potential to intertwine electricity production with agriculture, offering farmers alternative markets for their produce while creating job opportunities in harvesting, transportation, and fuel processing.
Despite this, the country's biomass industry remains modest, with eight commissioned dendro power plants generating a cumulative 26.99 MW and an additional five biomass plants using agricultural and industrial waste totaling 17.08 MW. The importance of Wilachchiya's 3.5 MW facility lies not only in its installed capacity but in its capacity to consistently generate electricity and maintain a reliable, economically sustainable fuel supply.
For the rural economy, locally sourced biomass could offer farmers and suppliers opportunities if the plant's fuel procurement involves nearby agricultural communities. The viability of the project hinges on the scale of local sourcing, fuelwood prices, and sustainable cultivation and harvesting practices.
The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority mandates developers to consider fuel requirements, sourcing methods, transportation and harvesting arrangements, capital and operating costs, and environmental and social impacts when assessing the long-term sustainability of dendro power investments. The environmental case for biomass hinges on the proper acquisition of fuel.
Wood sourced from managed energy plantations can contribute to renewable electricity generation, but sustainable cultivation and harvesting are crucial to prevent harm to natural forests and sensitive ecosystems. The government regards renewable energy development as a vital component of its broader energy strategy, considering resource availability, land suitability, transmission infrastructure, and environmental constraints when selecting sites for renewable energy projects.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
