Lalith Chaminda –
Construction of 58 new renewable energy projects has stalled due to various reasons despite the issuance of permits, according to the latest audit report released by the National Audit Office.
Due to this situation, the 129.75 megawatts of electricity by these 58 projects could not be added to the national grid, the audit revealed.
At the time of issuing the energy license, the project developer will have to extend the approval again due to the expiration of the approval period obtained from the Central Environmental Authority, the Forest Department and the Wildlife Department. There are 13 projects with a capacity of 23 MW which have not commenced construction work due to the refusal to extend or delay the approval of the relevant institutions. Construction work on 12 13-megawatt projects has been halted due to delays in land acquisition.
The audit also revealed that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has stalled the construction of 25 projects with a capacity of 80 MW and 08 projects with a capacity of 14 MW due to various other reasons due to non-signing of the power purchase agreement.
