JLanka Technologies opens wider horizons on the future of Solar Energy in Sri Lanka

“Investing in a Clean Future – Understanding the Value Chain of Utility-Scale Solar PV Power Plants”

Sri Lanka’s premier Solar Solutions provider JLanka Technologies powered through to the next phase in utility solar by supporting the public power generation programme “‘Surya Bala Sangramaya’ by empowering and educating all stakeholders. One of which were a seminar primarily organized for potential investors of the 1MWp x 90 nos tender which concluded successfully last Thursday (8th of March) at the Kingsbury Hotel.

The main object of the seminar was to get high level of awareness among all stakeholders on key aspects of the design and implementation of solar power plants. JLanka Technologies is the leading full-service subcontractor for engineering, procurement and construction of solar projects, with an expert resource bank readily available to meet the stringent schedules and fixed budgets. With EPC management experience totaling to over 25MW of solar projects that range from small-scale residential to large-scale commercial developments, JLanka guarantees the most efficient and effective engineering, procurement and construction functions.

The Seminar commenced with the Chief Operating Officer of JLanka Technologies Jayantha Jayamanna addressing the audience with a comprehensive insight into the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) operational value chain in solar projects. He also went into details on how these projects will unfold once they are selected as an EPC partner. He concluded the speech with 4 unmatchable values delivered by JLanka Technologies;

  • Managing the bidding process end to end
  • Local expertise with global support from the giant suppliers
  • Consolidated Portfolio Management for investors who are interested in more than one project to be delivered
  • Providing Performance Warranty

The seminar also featured the guest speaker from leading solar power harvesting and monitoring company SolarEdge, Mr. Shashidhara BV, Head of SolarEdge India & Sri Lanka who delivered a speech on Maximizing the Value of PV Systems with Module Level Power Electronics. He further added that SolarEdge partnered with JLanka Technologies concluded last year with a 6.7GW of shipments globally and close to 22.7million optimizers shipped.

Eng. Dr. H.M Wijekoon Banda – Chief Engineer (Transmission Planning) of the CEB, during the keynote speech titled – ‘Integration of variable renewables to the Sri Lankan grid’ – explained to the audience of the evolution of Sri Lanka’s energy grid, and the CEB’s role in ensuring the perfect integration of renewable and conventional energy to meet the demand of power consumers. Joining him, Eng. Buddhika Samarasekara- Chief Engineer (Generation Planning) of the CEB went on to describe the current and future status of the Sri Lankan power system.

Among the panel discussion Eng. Dr. H.M. Wijekoon Banda explained on why they decided to go on a small scale such as 1MWp which would be convenient to be connected to the existing grid and also elaborated on the grid substations to different areas and he further stated “The next step is 100MW scale solar parks, but building the infrastructure for such massive scale projects will take time. Developing a transmission network alone for such a capacity would take at least 2 years. However, it is definitely part of our future plan for solar power.”

Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda, Secretary to the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy further added if there are any questions regarding the 1MWp x 90 Nos tender this would be the ideal opportunity to ask any questions since the potential investors should ensure to fill in accurate details and provide the necessary requirements in order to bid for the tender which would have a less chance of rejection.

A panel discussion with the participation of Hon. Ajith P. Perera – State Minister of Power and Renewable Energy along with the respective speakers concluded the seminar, where Dr. B.M.S. Batagoda, Secretary to the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy thanked JLanka for facilitating the seminar and discussions between all stakeholders, to create an opportunity to resolve any queries and further improve the bidding process for 90 projects of 1 MW solar power plants on build, own and operate basis under Phase II of the SBS.