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| India-Sri Lanka Energy Collaboration: A Sustainable Partnership |
India recently finalized an $11 million grant project in collaboration with Sri Lanka and a private partner to implement hybrid renewable energy infrastructure across three islands off the Jaffna peninsula in northern Sri Lanka.
This initiative represents the third energy project supported by India in Sri Lanka's northern and eastern regions. The National Thermal Power Corporation is leading a solar venture in the eastern town of Sampur, while the Adani Group is establishing renewable energy projects in Mannar and Pooneryn in the north.
Project Scope:
- U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions, an Indian renewable firm, has been awarded the contract to construct the systems in Delft (Neduntheevu), Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands, funded by the Indian government.
- The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority will provide local oversight to this endeavor, which falls under New Delhi’s ongoing support for Colombo's energy security and economic recovery.
- The hybrid energy systems will fulfill the baseload power requirements of island communities using solar photovoltaics and wind turbines, supplemented by battery storage solutions, aiming to provide uninterrupted clean electricity access to households, commercial establishments, and public institutions.
- The project encompasses the installation of transmission infrastructure, distribution networks, establishment of 70 charging stations, and provision of solar panels to villages. It also incorporates sustainability features such as LED street lighting, smart meters, and microgrids with remote monitoring.
Strategic Relevance:
- This support aligns with India's objective of accelerating last-mile electricity connectivity across neighborhoods in the Sri Lankan islands, which are situated just 50 kilometers off the Tamil Nadu coast.
- It serves as a response to previous efforts by the former Sri Lankan government, three years ago, to welcome Chinese investments in the northern islands, prompting India's concerns about Beijing gaining a strategic foothold in its maritime backyard.
- The renewable energy grant underscores New Delhi's enduring commitment to development cooperation with Sri Lanka through financial aid and public infrastructure support, reflecting Colombo's shift from overt Chinese dependency towards a more balanced Indo-Sri Lanka regional dynamic.
Impact of the Agreement:
- This sustainable energy infrastructure project represents another significant milestone in India's extensive collaboration with crisis-hit Sri Lanka since early 2022, spanning food, fuel, medicines, and livelihood packages.
- By allocating $11 million for a clean energy transition focused on Jaffna's Tamil community, New Delhi emphasizes its "neighborhood first" policy, encompassing humanitarian assistance, connectivity infrastructure, and community development cooperation during Sri Lanka's challenging transition.
- The grant project also highlights India's advocacy for increased adoption of renewable energy in regions lacking adequate grid availability, potentially informing sustainable decentralized electrification strategies for India's remote locations.