The impoverished island nation is currently examining the projects due to pricing and efficiency disagreements. The country wants to increase green energy to lessen dependency on costly imports.
Faced with chronic power outages and fuel shortages, Sri Lanka hopes to make headway on two postponed wind energy projects with India’s Adani Green Energy within the next month, according to Reuters, citing Sri Lankan Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.
As stated by Wijwsekara, the current discussions over price and transmission lines are expected to be completed by March. Last year, Adani Green Energy received provisional approval for two wind projects, 286 MW in Mannar and 234 MW in Pooneryn, with a total expenditure of USD 442 million.
Sri Lanka generates electricity in equal parts from hydropower, coal, and oil. The government has pledged to avoid building new coal plants as it works towards achieving 70% renewable energy by 2030. Meanwhile, India has suggested sending Liquefied Natural Gas to power two Sri Lankan plants, with authorities planning the logistics.
China’s Sinopec gained approval last November for a $4.5 billion oil refinery in Hambantota, where China also built a port. The contract has been awarded, and concerns about land, water, and concessions are being addressed.
While Adani’s projects were approved in August 2022, they sparked debate over transparency and due process. Opposition groups accused the organisation of circumventing competitive bidding, resulting in altered energy laws.
Gautam Adani met with then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2021 to discuss investments following the Colombo port facility deal.
Source: Esgtimes.in
