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Kanchana pushes for connecting national grid with India

09 Jun 2022

  • Says excess energy export is a sustainable solution to energy, forex crises 
BY SAFRAH FAZAL Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said in Parliament yesterday (8) that the national electricity grid should be linked with India, so that the excess energy generated by the island can be exported, as a sustainable solution to the energy crisis.  He noted that more energy than is required by the island can be generated through renewable energy projects, which can in turn address the energy crisis, which is a direct result of the country’s dwindling foreign reserves. As nearly two-thirds of Sri Lanka’s electricity is generated by fuel and coal-fired plants, while hydropower makes up the rest, Wijesekera stressed that renewable energy projects would be a cheaper and more sustainable alternative, considering that large sums of foreign reserves are being used up at present for the generation of electricity in the island. “That is why we must implement this plan with the Indian Government,” he urged.  While adding that investors have not been selected yet, the Minister stated that this will be done based on the agreements made between the two governments.  “Once the investors have purchased their lands, then the license will be issued. To do this, we require the assistance of all MPs.”  “There is no point in generating more energy than is required if we cannot export it. Therefore, we must connect the grid with India, as it is only through this that we can export energy.” He added that discussions into the linking of electricity grids had been underway for 30 years.  “India has connected grids with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. Whatever it is, it must be done,” the Minister emphasised. When The Morning contacted a senior official of the Ministry of Power and Energy, he stated that although discussions had been taking place for years, the project could not be implemented, as there were issues with funding. He added that under a similar Asian Development Bank initiative, they had identified the necessity of making this connection between the two countries, and not only for Sri Lanka, but other countries as well. “If we are producing more energy, then we can sell it to India. Similarly, if we are having a shortage, we can obtain electricity from them too.” In April of this year, Reuters reported that India and Sri Lanka resumed talks over linking electricity grids. The grid connection project came up in talks with India’s Power Ministry in March, when the then Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa visited New Delhi to seek assistance Also, in April this year, the Times of India reported that the Bangladeshi Government was planning to enter into a cross border exchange of electricity with India through the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). It was reported that the move would formalise the electricity trade and increase the scope of bilateral electricity exchanges. At present, Nepal and Bhutan buy and sell electricity across borders with India through the IEX.


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