The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy of Sri Lanka has awarded the contract for development of a 10 MW solar power plant. Didul (Pvt.) Ltd., was announced as the winner.
Local media reported that the plant will sell clean energy to the state utility Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for 12.49 LKR ($0.079) per kWh. The PV plant will be developed near a grid substation in Valachchenai. Didul will construct the plant and will also provide operations and maintenance services.
Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya's proposal to this effect was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Sri Lanka has a comprehensive solar energy program called Soorya Bala Sangramaya. Under Phase I, it aims to generate 1 GW from 1,000,000 solar rooftops. Phase II of the program relates to solar power plants of 150 MW capacity in the form of 60 projects of 1 MW capacity and 90 projects, also of 1 MW capacity each. In January 2018, CEB launched a tender for 90 projects of 1 MW capacity each (see Sri Lanka Tenders 90 MW Of Small-Scale PV).
The 10 MW project awarded to Didul is part of Phase III through which the ministry wants to develop 50 MW capacity as five projects of 10 MW capacity each. Another tender for the 10 MW Polonnaruwa PV project was also issued by CEB in 2017 (see Deadline Extended For Sri Lanka PV RfP).
According to the ministry, Soorya Bala Sangramaya Phase IV aims to develop 400 MW PV through a 100 MW floating solar park in Maduruoya, two projects of 100 MW each in Pooneryn and another 100 MW project in Monaragala.
Up to August 1, 2017, 213 non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) projects were commissioned in the country with 51.36 MW as share of solar power. In 2018, Sri Lanka has plans for 170 MW of solar PV capacity.