Govt. nod for 150 MW of solar power projects

The Government has approved 20 solar power projects, which are expected to contribute 150 MW to the national grid, the Power Ministry said in a statement yesterday. 

The projects will be given to investors following a competitive bidding process, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma stated yesterday.

Issuing a press release, Minister Alahapperuma said that that the projects will be built to be integrated into the national grid via 20 power grid sub-stations around the island. The projects have been approved with the aim of reaching the renewable energy target of 70% set by the President’s manifesto ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’. 

The Power Ministry said the 20 solar power stations will be built in four packages ranging from A-D.  Package A will include Anuradhapura, Madampe, Vavunathivu, Athurugiriya and Beliaththa. The others were not specified in the statement.  

According to Alahapperuma, the tenders have been awarded to bidders who proposed the lowest cost and met the approval of the technical committee appointed to evaluate their bids. A Cabinet sub-committee has determined the highest unit price for power from the solar projects.