In a significant step towards bolstering its developmental partnership with neighbouring Sri Lanka, India has provided the initial payment for three hybrid power projects on islands off northern Jaffna. These projects, aimed at addressing the energy needs of Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands, are being implemented under Indian Grant Assistance amounting to $1 million, according to the Indian High Commission in Colombo on Thursday, 29th August 2024.
The hybrid power projects are designed to cater to the energy requirements of the three islands, which currently lack connection to Sri Lanka’s national grid. The Indian High Commission announced that the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, handed over the first payment to Dr Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy, and Sanjeewa Jayawardena, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA). This milestone was shared on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
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These projects, developed with a $11 million Indian grant, will harness a combination of solar and wind energy. Initial work has begun at the three designated sites, with the project expected to be completed by early March 2025 and handed over by late April 2025.
The foundation for these projects was laid in March 2022, when India and Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of hybrid renewable energy projects on the three islands. The implementation contract was later awarded to U Solar Clean Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd in March by the SLSEA.
These projects underscore India’s commitment to fostering bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and reflect the human-centric approach of India’s developmental initiatives in Sri Lanka.
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In a related development earlier this month, another MoU was signed for the development of storage facilities and a regasification unit in Kerawalapitiya, along with the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for several power plants in Sri Lanka, including Yugadhanavi and Sobadhanavi. The MoU, signed on August 20, involved LTL Holdings Ltd of Sri Lanka and India’s Petronet LNG.
Sri Lanka’s Power and Energy Minister, Kanchana Wijesekera, announced that this 18-month programme aims to invest in infrastructure development to meet the country’s LNG requirements. The initiative is expected to reduce energy costs from thermal power generation, contribute to the clean energy transition, stabilise the grid for renewable energy integration, and create a domestic market for LNG.
India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted that this agreement would not only strengthen energy sector cooperation between India and Sri Lanka but also expand India’s international energy footprint.
