United Solar Group has proposed to invest $1.73 billion to construct a 700 MW solar power plant with a battery energy storage system at Poonakary Lake located in Kilinochchi. The Power and Energy Minister has recently sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to accept the project proposal presented by United Solar Energy SL Pvt Company, a part of United Solar Group, in principle, and to appoint a Cabinet appointed negotiation committee to evaluate the proposal and make necessary recommendations. The PPA for the said project has also been granted.
Furthermore, the company has submitted a proposal to develop a battery energy storage system to provide a power supply of 134 MW, according to the Department of Government Information. The Northern Provincial Council, the Northern Provincial Irrigation Department and the Agricultural Development Department have already agreed to grant 1,080 acres of the shallow area of the lake to the company on a 35-year lease agreement to establish the proposed power plant.
United Solar is involved in renewable energy projects in six continents and 20 countries with a large portfolio of utility-scale solar projects, wind farms, hydro-solar and green hydrogen. The company was established over 14-years ago. The projects span three green energy categories i.e solar, hydrogen and wind.
REGlobal’s Views: The successful commissioning of this large solar and battery project can serve as an example for other developers and investors to set up projects in Sri Lanka. The country, which recently, dealt with severe economic crisis and prolonged power cuts is now focusing on increasing renewable energy to meet its power requirements.
