Knuckles
In 2019, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority selected some remote villages for 7 Rural Electrification Pilot Projects. The goal was to show that decentralized mini-grids could work for rural electrification in the Knuckles Forest Reserve.
For the pilot project, three villages were chosen: Galamuduna, Udagadebokka, and Medekale. These villages, located northeast behind the Knuckles Mountain, have over thirty families each and are about 25 km from the nearest grid. These areas get about 2.23 kWh/m² of solar energy daily, but due to challenges like land degradation and deforestation, biomass technology was preferred. As a result, a 25 kW solar/hybrid mini-grid system was set up, providing 24/7 electricity to the entire village.
Electricity is essential for every part of life in these villages, from lighting homes to charging phones andheating water. Renewable energy micro-grids are now a more affordable and eco-friendly option for rural electrification, ideal for small remote settlements.
How This Helps Reforestation
Our main goal with rural electrification is to encourage people in these villages to plant a tree for every 10 kWh of energy they use from the solar mini-grid. This promotes reforestation and helps people understand its importance, passing this value on to future generations.
What Are Mini-Grids
When the population is too small or remote for grid extension and standalone solar systems aren’t enough for bigger electricity needs, mini-grids are a good solution. Mini-grids are independent, decentralized electrical networks that can run without a larger national grid.
Since they are not connected to the main grid, they only produce electricity for local use. This local focus allows developers to better understand and meet the community’s energy needs. Mini-grids also avoid power cuts from the main grid, providing a more reliable electricity supply.
Kurunegala
The Kurunegala Reforestation Project aims to plant over 400 types of fruit trees each year on a 10-acre plot that already has over 300 coconut trees. Our main goal is to plant fruit-bearing trees such as mango, rambutan, jackfruit, and cashew. Local farmers receive support and training to plant and care for these trees. Since starting in 2020, the land now holds around 500 different types of plants.
Kurunegala is a major city in Sri Lanka, serving as the capital of the North Western Province and was an ancient royal capital for 50 years. It is a key junction for several main roads connecting to other important parts of the country. Situated at 120 meters above sea level, Kurunegala is surrounded by large coconut and rubber estates and has a tropical rainforest climate, remaining hot throughout the year.
Katunayaka
Many major cities worldwide have started tree planting programs, assuming urban forests provide environmental and social benefits. Recent studies have tested these assumptions, showing that these programs do contribute positively but also have limitations.
Research indicates that urban trees offer local cooling and health benefits for residents. However, their ability to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution is limited due to space constraints and the scale of emissions. Therefore, urban trees are more effective for adaptation (like cooling and health) rather than mitigation (reducing emissions and pollution).
Carefully managed tree planting and small-scale, site-specific designs can maximize the environmental and health benefits of urban trees. These efforts have shown positive effects on local climate and health, especially when implemented thoughtfully. Ongoing research and adaptive management are important for understanding long-term impacts.