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2009-04-27
Embassy of the United States of America, Colombo.
Colombo, April 27, 2009 – U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires James Moore, Minister of Power and Energy Hon. W.D.J. Seniviratne, and Sustainable Energy Authority Chairman Dr. Krishan Deheragoda officially opened a two-day workshop to launch a new center for energy efficient lighting in Sri Lanka, the first of its kind in South Asia. The workshop will bring together experts in lighting technology from the United States, Sri Lanka, and other countries in South Asia to help increase access to electricity, seen as a critical factor in economic development in the region.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the development agency of the U.S. Government, partnered with the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the Lighting Research Center USA to create the new lighting center, known as the Regional Center for Energy Efficient Lighting in Sri Lanka (RCEEL). The partnership also designed the workshop to promote energy efficient lighting technology, find innovative ways to apply new technologies, and encourage new investment in research and development.
“Providing access to electricity is a critical factor in supporting economic development throughout the region,” stated James Moore, U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires. “By creating this regional center that will focus solely on the development of affordable, clean, and accessible sources of electricity, we can ensure that future generations receive the benefits of electricity, while at the same time protecting our natural environment. Through this workshop, leaders in technology development will have the chance to learn and share together, which will benefit everyone in South Asia,” he continued.
USAID provided up to $800,000 (Rs 95.063 million) of initial funding for the Regional Center through its South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/E) program. SARI/E promotes more efficient regional energy resource utilization, works toward transparent and profitable energy practices, mitigates the environmental impacts of energy production, and increases regional access to energy. SARI/E countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Addressing the gathering, Minister of Power and Energy, Hon. W.D.J. Seniviratne stated, “I believe the RCEEL will function as an institute to facilitate research that promotes the development of efficient lighting technologies, to establish product standards on efficient lighting systems, facilitate the transfer of lighting technologies among regional countries and donor countries, and promote efficient lighting applications, catalyzing relevant policy changes and encouraging new investments in research and applications.”
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is the primary knowledge partner for the RCEEL and plans to provide technical knowledge, training and guidance on RCEEL activities. The LRC is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York, and is a leading university-based research center devoted to lighting.
“By supporting new lighting technologies, REECL can help produce clean, low-cost, durable, high-quality energy that will benefit underprivileged communities and control the national demand for energy,” expressed SLSEA Chairman, Dr. Krishan Deheragoda. “It is our pride that Sri Lanka is taking the lead to develop energy efficient lighting in South Asia,” he continued. The total cost of the Center is $5 million (Rs 594.14 million), with additional funding expected from other sources.
Participants in the launch ceremony also included M. M.M.C. Ferdinando, Secretary, Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. N. Narendran, Director Research, Lighting Research Center USA, and S. Padmanaban, Director, South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, USAID/Sri Lanka has invested nearly $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri Lanka.
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Minister of Power and Energy Hon. W.D.J. Seneviratne and U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires James Moore chat after opening a two-day workshop on energy efficient lighting. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided initial funding to establish a lighting research center in Colombo with the Sustainable Energy Authority that will benefit South Asia.
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