Sri Lanka Plans a 100 MW Solar Project Through Private Sector Investment

The project has secured financing from the Asian Development Bank

December 10, 2020

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Sri Lankan cabinet of ministers approved a proposal tabled by the Ministry of Energy (MoE) to develop the 100 MW Siyabalanduwa solar power project through private sector investment.

According to the gazette notification, preliminary steps have been taken to implement the 100 MW solar project through feasibility studies, securing land for the project, and conducting environmental assessments.

The project has secured financing from the Asian Development Bank, which will also analyze the procedures to set up the project. With its transmission infrastructure, the proposed project would be implemented as a single procurement of a 100 MW single solar project to ensure a minimum consumption charge for the generation and transmission of a single unity of electricity.

The Sri Lankan cabinet has given its approval to Ceylon Electricity Board (transmission licensee) to implement the 100 MW project through private sector investment and construct the power line from Medagama to Ampara.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Government has also endorsed an additional 60 MW wind energy supply to the grid through Trincomalee, Mannar, Bolawatta, Madampe, and Kappalthure grid substations to raise renewable energy consumption substantially. The MoE has submitted a proposal to award the contract to purchase 10 MW wind energy for Trincomalee grid substation years for 20 years at 14.52 LKR (~$0.078)/kWh and construct the wind power project.

Earlier this year, the country released a tender from foreign and domestic companies to develop and maintain 150 MW of solar projects at various locations in the country. The project is to be set up on a build, own, and operate basis under the Sooraya Bala Sangramaya Phase III.

Last year, Sri Lanka’s Sustainable Energy Authority, part of the country’s Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development, floated two expressions of interest for domestic and foreign companies to develop solar projects of 10 MW capacity with 20% energy storage systems. The projects were to be developed under a joint venture with the SEA at the Hambantota Solar Energy Park.

Earlier, the country received a $100 million loan from the Indian Government for installing solar rooftop systems on government buildings. These funds will also be used to provide solar power systems to select low-income households in the districts of Trincomalee, Moneragala, Anuradhapura, and Hambantota, according to Sri Lanka’s cabinet. It then recently issued a tender notice for hiring consultants to carry out a pre-feasibility study to implement rooftop solar systems on government buildings.

Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. More articles from Rahul Nair.

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