Sri Lanka and India are undertaking an initiative to establish an undersea transmission line connecting the power grids of both nations. This monumental endeavor, estimated at a staggering USD 1.2 billion, aims to fortify Sri Lanka's power infrastructure while promoting deeper regional cooperation.
The announcement was made by Sulakshana Jayawardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Energy in Sri Lanka, following the fifth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka joint working group (JWG) held on February 28. The proposed undersea transmission line will stretch from the north-central town of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka to Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state in India.
After traversing a 130-kilometer overland transmission line in India, the undersea cable will emerge at Thiruketheeswaram in Mannar, northeast Sri Lanka, via a submarine cable. This ambitious initiative is poised to enhance energy security in Sri Lanka, a crucial aspect highlighted by Jayawardena.
During the recent JWG meeting, discussions revolved around the power grid interconnection between the two nations, underscoring the strategic importance of the project. Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of India's Ministry of Power, emphasized the potential benefits, including significant cost reductions and the facilitation of private sector investment in Sri Lanka's power sector.
While progress on the proposal has been substantial, formal agreements are yet to be finalized. Jayawardena clarified that while an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed for technical assessments, discussions are underway to implement the project within a legal framework.
The project, with an estimated cost of USD 1.2 billion, necessitates the establishment of a new institution where Sri Lanka would hold a 50% stake. However, securing funding remains a critical aspect that requires further deliberation, according to Jayawardena.
Both nations are actively pursuing renewable energy projects. An agreement signed on March 1 outlines the development of a hybrid renewable energy system for several islands in Sri Lanka's northern Jaffna peninsula, supported by grant assistance from India.
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