Sri Lanka approves power deal with India
July 25th, 2008 - 1:01 pm ICT by IANSBy P. Karunakharan
Colombo, July 25 (IANS) Sri Lanka has approved a proposal for a mega underwater power transmission deal with India to meet a major part of the soaring power needs in the island nation, a minister said Friday. Power and Energy Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne said the proposed $450 million deal, once executed, would help export electricity through a 200-km submarine cable from the Madurai power grid in Tamil Nadu via the Palk Strait — the narrow strip of sea that divides the two countries - to Thalaimannar, Mannar and to the Anuradhapura national power grid.
“This is a project acceptable to governments of both countries as it is a two-way traffic. We are hoping to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) as soon as possible,” Seneviratne told IANS.
“Once completed, this project is expected to bring maximum economic benefits to both countries through the exchange of 1,000 MW of power,” he said, adding the cabinet approved his proposal when it met Wednesday.
Asked if there was any possibility that the MoU could be signed on the sidelines of the coming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, he said: “It cannot be ruled out.”
According to preliminary studies, Seneviratne said the construction work, once it starts, would take 40 months to finish.
The cabinet has also granted approval to a memorandum submitted by the minister for the implementation of a rural electrification project with assistance from Iran.
- India to help Afghanistan develop tourism - May 27, 2011
- Rashtriya Ispat to invest Rs.42,000 crore in Andra Pradesh - Jan 16, 2012
- Invest India inks deal with Mauritian board - Feb 08, 2012
- Chhattisgarh, Railways ink deal for three rail corridors - Feb 28, 2012
- Jairam Ramesh grants final approval to Orissa's Posco project - May 02, 2011
- UAE, South Korea sign MoU in health care - Mar 15, 2011
- Nod for Kolkata gas distribution MoU - Oct 20, 2011
- Sri Lanka, Kuwait to sign MoU for migrant workers - Mar 29, 2012
- Tamil Nadu scraps power joint venture with BHEL - Feb 24, 2012
- Pakistan, France ink pact to promote science - Dec 22, 2011
- Govt. released Rs.201.06 crore under MPF scheme to States: Chidambaram - Oct 30, 2009
- Suzlon to develop 3,000 MW of wind energy in Andra Pradesh - Jan 16, 2012
- Concern in Nepal as China tries to 'develop' Buddha legacy - Jul 28, 2011
- Andhra to tie-up with Israel - Jan 27, 2011
- Gujarat to have Asia's largest solar power park - Dec 30, 2010
Tags: colombo, construction work, economic benefits, electricity, energy minister, governments, island nation, mannar, memorandum of understanding, mw, narrow strip, national power grid, palk strait, power and energy, power transmission, rural electrification, sidelines, south asian association, south asian association for regional cooperation, submarine cable
