Govt. to proceed with 53 renewable energy projects proposed by developers

The Power and Energy Ministry plans to issue Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for 53 applicants, who submitted Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to develop renewable power projects.

Although the EOIs called by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) attracted a record number of responses, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera revealed that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has expressed concerns on grid capacity and transmission line requirements for the number of projects proposed by the developers. 

However, Wijesekera was hopeful of moving ahead with 53 projects proposed by the developers. He said discussions are moving ahead with the SEA and CEB to facilitate these projects.

In addition, Wijesekera pointed out that the CEB Act is needed to be amended to move forward with most of the proposed renewable power projects received in responses to the EOI document by the SEA.

The government has already submitted the proposed amendments to the CEB Act and the bill consisting of the proposed amendments is expected to be debated in Parliament in the coming week.