India's 'Green Diplomacy' In Sri Lanka: First Payment Released For Implementation Of Hybrid Energy Projects In Three Islands Off Jaffna

India has begun the implementation of Hybrid Power Projects in three islands off Jaffna in Sri Lanka with first payment handover on Wednesday (28 August).

The payment was handed over by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, to the secretary of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Power and Energy, Sulakshana Jayawardena, and the chairman of the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), Ranjith Sepala, at a ceremony held at the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

This project, which targets the islands of Delft, Nainativu, and Analaitivu, aims to address the pressing energy needs of these remote areas, which are currently disconnected from the national grid.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the implementation of the hybrid renewable energy projects in Delft, Nainativu and Analaitivu islands was signed between India and Sri Lanka in March 2022.

"Subsequently contract for the project implementation was signed by SLSEA with M/s. U Solar Clean Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd on 1 March 2024," the Indian High Commission said in a release on Thursday (29 August).

By combining various forms of energy, including solar and wind, the hybrid power plants will optimise capacities, providing a more stable and sustainable power supply to these isolated communities.

"Initial work has commenced at the three sites, and the project is scheduled to be completed by early-March 2025 and handed over by late-April 2025," the Indian High Commission said.

The project is being implemented under grant assistance of $11 million from the Indian government.

According to the Indian High Commission, the project reaffirms India's commitment to the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, as well as the human-centric nature of India's development partnership initiatives in Sri Lanka.

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