• Feasibility study complete, MOU to be signed post Cabinet nod

The Power and Energy Ministry is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Government relating to the planned Indo-Lanka cross-strait power grid connectivity, within a few months, it is learnt.

This, in the wake of reports that Sri Lanka and India are working to establish a joint venture for grid connectivity project, which will likely involve an undersea transmission line linking the power grids of both countries.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (7), Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy, Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena, stated that the MOU for the Sri Lanka-India power grid connectivity project will be signed once it receives cabinet approval. "The Secretaries of the Power Ministries of the two countries discussed the matter recently. Then, the two countries agreed to sign an MOU in this regard first, as expert institutions have already  confirmed the feasibility of the project," Dr. Jayawardena noted.

He noted that India has already sent the draft MOU, which the Ministry of Power and Energy reviewed and commented on before forwarding it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). "The MFA will then consult with the Finance and Defence Ministries. Following these consultations, the Attorney General's clearance will be sought," Dr. Jayawardena explained.

He noted that stakeholder discussions will commence once the draft agreement is published. "Among the stakeholders to be consulted are the Central Environment Authority and other relevant entities. This process ensures that all necessary perspectives and considerations are addressed before finalising the agreement," he added asserting that it will take a minimum three months to complete the process.

The said project, as per media reports, envisions connecting Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka with Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state in India, through a direct power line. The infrastructure includes a 130 km overland transmission line in India, followed by a submarine cable emerging at Thiruketheeswaram in Mannar, northeast Sri Lanka. This initiative comes in the wake of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), and both nations are now focused on forming the joint venture to execute the project based on a business model.

There has been support and opposition to the project, with some political parties and trade unions expressing concern about increased energy linkages between India and Sri Lanka affecting Sri Lanka’s energy security and ability to exercise sovereignty.

The MFA, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairperson Dr. Nalinda Ilangakoon were not available to comment regarding the timeline for the MOU to be signed and for the project to commence.