By Prof. Samitha Hettige ©

Everyone in Sri Lanka is discussing about power generation and distribution related issues during the past few days. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or the 21st Century Silk Road has initiated more green energy initiatives with partner countries than any other international development initiative in the world. We should investigate the possibilities of utilizing our wind power to generate energy with support from BRI. In fact, Sri Lanka is an active member of the BRI and there are few good case studies down the BRI we can learn from. In Montenegro the Mozura Wind Park with 23 smart turbines was inaugurated few years ago and has been generating clean energy for the country's power grid. As a joint China-Malta-Montenegro project as part of the BRI, the park was constructed by the China's Shanghai Electric Power Company (a subsidiary of the China State Power Investment Corporation) and Malta's state energy provider Enemalta. As a result, Montenegro is converting wind into electricity facilitating the development of Montenegro's Adriatic coast and the whole country. This coastal area is a world-famous tourist destination and the wind turbine park has also become a tourist attraction and has attracted thousands visiting the country on holiday (Ref Enemalta).

Montenegro like Sri Lanka depended much on hydropower, but its energy production was affected due to climate conditions. In the recent years power shortages affected overall development and especially restricted its tourism development. With mounting pressure to address power shortages and the necessity to follow global trends on producing clean energy Montenegro initiated the construction of wind energy parks. In Montenegro tourism takes 23% of its GDP and a stable power supply is vital (Ref. World Bank). With the energy contribution from the Mozura Wind Park, the share of clean wind generated energy has increased by 9% in Montenegro. It has helped the country to stay in line with the European Union's renewable energy targets. This wind park generates around 110 GWh annually, and its share in overall production will reach 3-5%. With these developments Montenegro managed to meet the national demand for electricity for the second consecutive year through only domestic production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95,000 tons. In 2017, the Chinese-Maltese joint venture signed an agreement to invest in a power plant in Montenegro. In 2018 all turbines were installed by Chinese engineers assisted by Enemalta and ensured that everything is in accordance with the EU energy laws and quality standards. Finally, after detailed testing the Mozura Wind Park started operations. This project is an indicator to confirm the Montenegro government’s ability to turn Montenegro into a leading investment destination in Southeast Europe. The recent power cuts in Sri Lanka and the international publicity it gains may affect tourist arrivals and investor confidence. Sri Lanka as a country must keep the elements behind the power issue under strict control to attract investment, tourists and the all other benefits.

(The writer is an Academic and a Broadcaster. Views expressed are personal and may not necessarily be the views of his affiliations.)