You are on page 1of 10

Mini grids in Sri Lanka: Regulatory issues

Ranjit Perera
University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka June 2012
June 2012 Ranjit Perera, 1

Need for mini-grids


Irrespective of fast progressing Rural Electrification in Sri Lanka nearly 3% of the population will have no access to the national grid Remote villages far away from the grid Northern islands

June 2012

Ranjit Perera,

Renewable options
Villages in the hill country Small hydro Islands / villages in the dry zone 800kW , 55m, Hybrid

2.3 m3/s,

Ambalampitiya village

June 2012

Ranjit Perera,

Regulatory issues: Technical standards


Cheap and unsafe constructions are common in the distribution arrangements Standards formulated for urban areas are too stringent and also expensive Standards different from main grid but appropriate for the mini grid environment are needed
June 2012 Ranjit Perera, 4

Regulatory issues: Tariff


Consumers usually pay a monthly fixed charge In addition payments in kind and labour No metering; There are limitations imposed on the appliances in order to keep the maximum demand under control Introduction of cheap meters Tariff regulation
Juner 2012 Ranjit Perera, 5

June 2012
Consumed (kVA) 12.000 15.000 18.000 21.000 24.000 27.000 30.000 33.000 36.000 39.000 0.000 3.000 6.000

9.000

Load Varation

Time (hrs.)

Regulatory issues: Resource Utilization

In a small system it is difficult to match the supply and demand

Ranjit Perera, 6

00.00 00.30 01.00 01.30 02.00 02.30 03.00 03.30 04.00 04.30 05.00 05.30 06.00 06.30 07.00 07.30 08.00 08.30 09.00 09.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 01.00 01.30 02.00 02.30 03.00 03.30 04.00 04.30 05.00 05.30 06.00 06.30 07.00 07.30 08.00 08.30 09.00 09.30 10.00 10.30

Regulatory issues: Resource Utilization


This leads to poor resource utilization Introduction of cottage industries Provisions for grid connection at a later stage Feed in tariff through a suitably designed SPPA

June 2012

Ranjit Perera,

Dispute Resolution
Though a mini-grid brings people together to reach a common goal various disputes also emerge
Certain groups are excluded from the benefits Passengers in the team work Sabotage by some
June 2012 Ranjit Perera, 8

Environmental Protection
In case of mini-hydro people collectively volunteer to protect the catchment area
Guidance for environment friendly designs Simple mechanism to give credit for the curtailment of GHG emissions
June 2012 Ranjit Perera, 9

Thank You
April 2011 Ranjit Perera, Mini-hydro development in Sri Lanka 10

You might also like