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Safe Power International to drive Sri Lanka’s renewable energy cohesive approach

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Safe Power International Ltd. has sealed a groundbreaking Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to bring the Alankuda 10MW wind power project to life.

The historical event took place at the CEB headquarters, graced by the presence of esteemed personalities such as CEB Chairman N.S. Illangakoon RWP RSP, CEB Vice Chairman Eng. D.K.P.U. Gunathilake, and the visionary minds from Safe Power International Ltd. – Director Palitha Nugaliyadde, Director Mevan Nugaliyadde, and Project Coordinator Sangaranathan Babeendran.

Located in the breathtaking Kalpitiya Peninsula, adjacent to the sea shoreline near Alankuda and close to Norochcholai, the Alankuda 10MW wind farm aims to harness the abundant wind resources of the region to generate clean and sustainable electricity for the nation.

The signing of the PPA marks a monumental milestone in the partnership between Safe Power International and CEB, solidifying their commitment to advancing Sri Lanka’s renewable energy ambitions. According to the agreement, Safe Power International will supply the electricity generated by the Alankuda wind farm to CEB for an impressive period of 20 years.

Anticipated to be completed within one and a half years, the project will involve the installation of state-of-the-art wind turbines and the development of essential infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration into the national power grid. Upon completion, the wind power plant is projected to generate over 36 GWh (Gigawatt Hours) of clean energy annually, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The collaboration between Safe Power International Ltd. and CEB not only underscores their dedication to sustainable development but also highlights the growing importance of renewable energy in Sri Lanka, aligning with the ambitious Climate Prosperity Plan (CPP). Through harnessing the wind’s power, this project aims to diversify the country’s energy mix, promoting a greener and more sustainable future, projected to offset more than 1,160,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions over its lifetime.

Gratitude was expressed by the representatives of Safe Power International to the Ministry of Power, CEB, and Sustainable Energy Authority during the signing ceremony, acknowledging their unwavering support and cooperation throughout the project’s development. The shared vision of these entities is to expedite the adoption of renewable energy technologies, addressing the pressing global challenges posed by the climate emergency.

The Alankuda 10MW wind farm is not only a boon for the environment but also expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. During the construction phase, it will create numerous job opportunities and spur growth in the Kalpitiya area. Moreover, the project will enhance Sri Lanka’s energy security by diversifying its power generation sources.

As Sri Lanka sets its sights on achieving its renewable energy targets, aiming for 70% by 2030, the signing of the PPA for the Alankuda 10MW wind farm represents a remarkable stride forward. The collective efforts invested in realising this project showcase an unwavering commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly future for the nation. 

Source – ft.lk

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SriLankan retired cabin crew amid ‘work to rule’ campaign

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According to reports, the SriLankan Airlines’ management has decided to immediately call up retired cabin crew members to service, following the ‘work to rule’ campaign launched by the Cabin Crew Members Association.

The SriLankan Airlines Cabin Crew Members Association launched a ‘work to rule’ campaign in April, citing several demands, including the reallocation of their onboard meal allowance.

In this backdrop, the national carrier is said to be operating with a reduced number of cabin crew which was further affected by the recent retirement of a significant number of experienced senior staff.

The staff were retired stating that individuals over the age of 60 would no longer be retained.

Efforts to extend the retirement age had been unsuccessful. 

Even though they had directed a formal request to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Dec. 12, 2024, no response was received, reports add.

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Google has illegal advertising monopoly, judge rules

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A US judge has ruled tech giant Google has a monopoly in online advertising technology.

The US Department of Justice, along with 17 US states, sued Google, arguing the tech giant was illegally dominating the technology which determines which adverts should be placed online and where.

This is the second antitrust case Google has lost in a year, after it was ruled the company also had a monopoly on online search.

Google said it would appeal against the decision.

“Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable and effective,” the firm’s head of regulatory affairs Lee-Ann Mulholland said.

US district judge Leonie Brinkema said in the ruling Google had “wilfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts” which enabled it to “acquire and maintain monopoly power” in the market.

“This exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google’s publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web,” she said.

Google lost on two counts, while a third was dismissed.

“We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” Ms Mulholland said.

“The court found that our advertiser tools and our acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, don’t harm competition.”

The ruling is a significant win for US antitrust enforcers, according to Laura Phillips-Sawyer, a professor at the University of Georgia School of Law.

“It signals that not only are agencies willing to prosecute but also that judges are willing to enforce the law against big tech firms,” she said.

She said the verdict sets an important legal precedent and is likely to affect decision-making in corporate America.

Google’s lawyers had argued the case focused too much on its past activities, and prosecutors ignored other large ad tech providers such as Amazon.

“Google has repeatedly used its market power to self-preference its own products, stifling innovation and depriving premium publishers worldwide of critical revenue needed to sustain high-quality journalism and entertainment,” said Jason Kint, head of Digital Content Next, a trade association representing online publishers.

(BBC News)

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Shein and Temu warn tariffs will raise prices in US

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Chinese online retail giants Shein and Temu have warned US customers that goods will get pricier from next week, after President Donald Trump imposed hefty tariffs on goods from China.

In almost identical statements, the rival companies said they have seen operating expenses rise “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs”, adding they will make “price adjustments” from 25 April.

The shopping sites have gained tens of millions of customers in the US, attracted by their ultra-low prices.

Their popularity has put pressure on Amazon, prompting it to launch a new platform called Haul last November, featuring items for under $20 (£15.10).

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has imposed taxes of up to 145% on imports from China. His administration said this week that when the new tariffs are added on to existing ones the levies on some Chinese goods could reach 245%.

Trump has also ended a duty-free exemption for goods worth less than $800, which helped Shein and Temu make rapid inroads to the US market.

US lawmakers on both sides had raised concerns about how these companies had “exploited” the provision.

An estimated 1.4 billion packages entered the US under this arrangement last year, up from 140 million in 2013, according to US customs authorities.

Since Trump started imposing the tariffs, Shein and Temu have seen the ranking of their apps fall sharply.

Temu is now the 75th most downloaded free app on the US Apple Store, after having consistently taken one of the top five spots in the last two years. Shein is in 58th place, down from number 15 last month.

But other Chinese retail apps continue to be ranked highly in the US, including DHgate in second place and Alibaba’s Taobao at number seven.

Shein and Temu have also slashed their advertising spending in the US.

Temu has “turned off all their Google Shopping ads in the US” as of 9 April, Mike Ryan, head of e-commerce insights at online advertising agency Smarter Ecommerce, said on LinkedIn.

Temu’s average daily US advertising spend on social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram and YouTube fell by 31% in the two weeks leading to 13 April, compared with the past month.

Shein’s average daily US ad spend fell by 19% over the same period, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.

In their statements, Temu and Shein encouraged customers to shop before higher prices kick in.

“We stand ready to make sure your orders arrive smoothly during this time.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep prices low and minimize the impact on you. Our team is working hard to improve your shopping experience,” the statements said.

Temu and Shein did not immediately respond to requests from the BBC for further comment.

(BBC News)

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