A report by the Sri Lankan Morning Post on April 28 has attracted much international attention regarding a major development in a power grid connection project between its state-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the Power Grid Corporation of India. CEB has officially received a draft memorandum of Understanding on power grid connection submitted by the Power Grid Corporation of India, marking a substantial step forward in cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

To further understand and assess the feasibility of the project, CEB quickly assembled a delegation of senior engineers and power experts to conduct a field technical assessment in India. The experts gained a clearer understanding of the implementation of the project by visiting Indian power grid facilities, exchanging technical experience and discussing project details in depth. Through the joint efforts of both sides, the two countries finally reached an agreement on the use of submarine cables to connect the power grid, a decision that laid a solid foundation for the smooth implementation of the project.

In 2023, the Sri Lankan government officially announced that it will continue to advance the India-Sri Lanka power grid connection project, and it is expected that the project will be officially operational in 2030. This decision will undoubtedly further consolidate the friendly relations between Sri Lanka and India and open a new chapter in the cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy.

Sulakshana Jayawardena, Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy, said in an interview, "It has been two decades since the idea of India-Sri Lanka connectivity was first mooted. Now, at last, we have reached this historic moment. The project will not only provide us with a stable power supply, but will also provide a valuable opportunity to export important renewable energy sources. Sri Lanka has considerable potential in renewable energy, including offshore wind, and we will make full use of this advantage to promote the development of green energy."

CEB plans to build a 500 MW HVDC system in 2034 to support the operation of the power grid connection project. The system will use the most advanced technology and equipment to ensure efficient, safe and stable power transmission. According to preliminary estimates, the total investment amount of the project will reach approximately $18.883 billion, most of which will be supported by international financial institutions and private investors.

Energy cooperation between Sri Lanka and India will become even closer with the progressive progress of power grid connection projects. The two countries will jointly explore more cooperation opportunities to promote mutual benefit and win-win results in the energy sector. At the same time, the project will also inject new impetus into Sri Lanka's economic and social development and promote friendly exchanges and mutual understanding between the two peoples. Editor/Xu Shengpeng