
The Sri Lankan government has revived previously announced plans for a 100MW floating solar project, green-lighting its construction alongside Canadian partners.
Earlier this week, the cabinet of ministers signed off on the addition of a floating installation on the Maduru Oya reservoir, on the island’s east.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
The scheme was first proposed in 2017 and will now be, ministers agreed, developed through a joint venture with Canadian Solar Institute; the partnership was proposed by Canada’s own government.
The project approved this week is a joint proposal by Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena – who is also minister for developments in the Mahaweli basin, where the reservoir sits – and energy minister Ravi Karunanayake. Its next few steps will be decided by a newly-created steering committee.
The go-ahead to floating PV follows the decision by ministers, only last week, to approve the development of 28 small-scale solar projects across the island. The plants, selected by a negotiation committee, will sell power at prices of LKR12.84-15.93 (US$0.072-0.089) per kWh.
Sri Lanka was active last year working to promote PV, announcing a 10MW tender and a 90MW RfP for small-scale solar. In 2017, the country raised US$50 million from the Asian Development Bank for the deployment of a 50MW rooftop PV pipeline.