NTPC Limited has launched a solar power project in Sri Lanka with an initial capacity of 50 megawatts (MW). The project is located in Trincomalee and may be extended to 120 MW in future phases.
The solar power plant is being developed through Trincomalee Power Company Limited (TPCL), which is a joint venture between NTPC of India and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) of Sri Lanka. Both companies hold a 50% share in TPCL.
The total planned investment for the current phase is $100 million. TPCL has signed a power purchase agreement with the CEB and also signed an implementation agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka for the first phase of 50 MW.
The electricity produced by the solar plant will be added to Sri Lanka’s national grid. This will help reduce the country’s use of fossil fuels and diversify its power sources. According to project estimates, the solar plant will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 200,000 tonnes each year.
This is one of the first major bilateral solar projects between the two countries. The Trincomalee solar project is expected to be followed by additional installations based on land and grid availability.
In other smaller solar developments in Sri Lanka, pilot rooftop solar programs have been introduced in rural schools and public buildings. These small systems have capacities ranging from 10 kilowatts (kW) to 50 kW per site. They are managed by Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and supported through bilateral cooperation grants.
In the Northern Province, a small off-grid solar mini-grid project has been implemented in isolated communities. Each system has a combined solar generation and battery storage of about 100 kW. These setups provide daily power for lighting, refrigeration, and essential appliances.
