Two solar power plants to be established as Indo-Lanka joint ventures at Sampur

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to proceed with the establishment of two solar power plants capable of producing 50 megawatts and 70 megawatts at Sampur, Trincomalee, as a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India.

Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said yesterday (20) that an agreement had been reached between the governments of Sri Lanka and India to set up those solar power plants in two phases—50 megawatts in the first stage and 70 megawatts in the second stage. The project will be undertaken as a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under a construction, ownership, and operation model.

He noted that the proposed 50 MW solar power project would be implemented by Trincomalee Power Company Ltd, a partnership between the CEB and NTPC to develop the previously planned coal power project at Sampur.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to take the necessary steps to advance the project’s implementation, the Cabinet Spokesman said.