Australia-based United Solar Group has proposed to invest a whopping US$ 1.73 billion to construct a 700 MW solar power plant with a battery energy storage system at Poonakary Lake located in Kilinochchi.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera this week sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to accept the project proposal presented by United Solar Energy SL Pvt Company, a part of United Solar Group, in principle, and to appoint a Cabinet appointed negotiation committee to evaluate the proposal and make necessary recommendations.

United Solar has submitted a proposal to develop a solar power plant of 700 MW with a battery energy storage system at Poonakary lake in Kilinochchi to provide a power supply of 134 MW, according to the Department of Government Information.

“The project is proposed to be implemented with a total investment of US$ 1, 727 million as a 100 percent foreign direct investment. From this amount, US$ 500 million will be used for domestic project components,” it noted.
The Northern Provincial Council, the Northern Provincial Irrigation Department and the Agricultural Development Department have already agreed to grant 1,080 acres of the shallow area of the lake to the company on a 35-year lease agreement to establish the proposed power plant.

The project company also plans to construct three anicuts around the Poonakari lake to prevent the ingress of seawater at a cost of US$13.5 million as a part of the proposed project. 

Established in 2009 by Richard Vargas, United Solar Group emerged to become a successful business that has helped over 19,500 customers access low cost electricity in Australia. 
 As one of Australia’s foremost renewable energy investors, United Solar is also involved in renewable energy projects in six continents and 20 countries with  a large portfolio of utility-scale solar projects, wind farms, hydro-solar and green hydrogen.