Sri Lanka and India Join Forces to Develop Solar Power Plants in Trincomalee

In a significant advancement for renewable energy collaboration, Sri Lanka and India have formalized an agreement to establish solar power plants in Trincomalee’s eastern port district. The initiative, announced by Sri Lankan Health Minister and official spokesperson Nalinda Jayathissa, outlines a two-phase project at Sampur. The first phase will see the development of a 50-megawatt solar power plant, followed by a 70-megawatt facility in the second phase. This endeavor is a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), focusing on the construction, ownership, and operation of the plants.

This collaboration marks a strategic shift from previous plans, as NTPC had initially intended to construct a coal-fired power plant at the same location. The transition to solar energy underscores both nations’ commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions.

In a related development, Minister Jayathissa addressed the recent withdrawal of the Adani Group from a separate green energy project in Sri Lanka. He emphasized the government’s openness to continuing the partnership, contingent upon renegotiating the project’s purchase price to ensure economic viability. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during a recent budget presentation, highlighted that alternative proposals have been received, offering renewable energy at more competitive rates than those initially proposed by Adani Green Energy.

These initiatives are part of Sri Lanka’s broader strategy to enhance its renewable energy capacity, aiming to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The collaboration with India not only strengthens bilateral ties but also contributes significantly to the region’s sustainable energy landscape.