Colombo
India has handed over rooftop solar systems to various religious locations in Sri Lanka as part of its ongoing energy partnership with the island nation as reported on Monday. Representatives from the Indian High Commission, the Ceylon Electricity Board, and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were involved in the distribution of solar panels and related materials to a Buddhist temple in Hokandara, Sri Aanjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church, and Mutwal Jumma Mosque.
This initiative is part of a larger USD 17 million project aimed at installing 25 megawatts (MW) of solar rooftop systems across 5,000 religious institutions throughout Sri Lanka. The project is designed to reduce energy costs and support the country’s transition to renewable energy, covering all nine provinces and 25 districts.
Once completed, the project is expected to supply approximately 37 million units of electricity annually, contributing to Sri Lanka’s “people-centric energy transition.” The Indian High Commission noted that the initiative aims not only to lower energy expenses for these institutions but also to bolster clean energy efforts.
The project, expected to finish by early next year, includes a five-year maintenance period to ensure the systems’ long-term efficiency and sustainability. This effort aligns with India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy, focusing on cooperation with Sri Lanka on key priorities. Other initiatives include solar electrification of about 9,000 Buddhist temples and Pirivenas, supported by a USD 10 million grant, as well as hybrid renewable energy projects in the Jaffna Islands.
