Sri Lanka’s power utility company and Air Force to launch project of creating artificial rain for power generation
Sri Lanka’s state power utility company, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Sri Lanka Air Force have reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate the project of creating artificial rain for hydro power generation.
The Air Force has agreed to provide aircraft modified especially for this purpose while the Thai government is providing technical expertise for the project.
Rainmaking can be done using airplanes to sow to the clouds with catalysts such as dry ice, silver iodide, and salt powder, to make clouds rain or increase precipitation.
According to reports, it can be used to remove or mitigate farmland drought, to increase reservoir irrigation water or water supply capacity, or to increase water levels for power generation.
“This project is expected to benefit Sri Lanka in the periods of drought to avoid the high cost of purchasing power from independent power producers,” Power Minister Ravi Karunanayake has been quoted as saying in the media.
“This project which will be implemented in Sri Lanka for the first time is expected to get off the ground by the end of next month.”
Earlier last year, a special team of experts from Thailand had conducted field visits to hydropower plants.
OSL take:
With Sri Lanka facing a looming power crisis, the government is engaged in initiating mid and long term energy generation methods to address the situation. The government while encouraging renewable power generation options is also looking at the latest global trends and technologies to ensure a continuous supply of power despite the continuously increasing demand for power. Therefore, foreign businesses engaged in the power sector could explore business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s power and energy sector.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/28012019/Z_3 |