Financial Times

The scope for environmentally sound renewable energy technologies to meet Sri Lanka’s growing energy demand is enormous. In view of the escalating petroleum prices, reaching the maximum possible large-scale hydropower potential, and the possible negative impacts on the environment, growing attention is paid towards renewable energy sources for power generation and to head towards energy security. Practical Action (formerly Intermediate Technology Development Group: ITDG) from Sri Lanka and the UK; Energy Forum from Sri Lanka and Both Ends from the Netherlands with co-funding from the European Commission – Asia Pro Eco Program have been implementing the “Networking for Promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies” (NetPRET) Project for promotion of renewable energy technologies in Sri Lanka.

As a part of this project, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce together with implementing partners of the NetPRET Project is organizing a Seminar on Technology Transfer Opportunities from European Union in Renewable Energy Technologies on July 17, 2006, from 2.30 – 5.30 p.m. at the Ground Floor Auditorium of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

The key objectives of this seminar are to:

*Facilitate a dialogue between EU technology providers and local counterparts
*Facilitate technology transfer by EU to local private sector institutions.
*Identify/develop collaboration with provincial councils, NGOs and financial institutions
*Link the light engineering enterprises to technology transfer strategy who would provide the maintenance support including provision of spare parts where applicable

The seminar will be conducted by resource persons from technology providers in the UK and the Netherlands.

The representatives of technology providers would be available for a short period of time after the Seminar for one-to-one discussions with interested private sector companies. The target audience would include representatives of the private sector organizations, key energy related institutions, financial institutions, decision makers and renewable energy related associations. Those interested in participating are requested to contact the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.