Cabinet green-lights long-term lease for solar power project in Siyambalanduwa

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers gave the green light for a 25-year lease of around 219.72 hectares of land to facilitate a 100 MW solar energy project Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division of the Monaragala District.

The proposal to this effect put forth by the Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera on the recommendation of the Lands Ministry to lease the land on a long-term lease basis for 25 years to the Sustainable Energy Authority, with relevant provisions to enable sub-leasing to a selected renewable energy developer.

“On 7 August 2023, the proposal to acquire land in Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat Division, Monaragala District was taken up for discussion under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority for the 100 MW solar energy project. It was then decided that the matter should be discussed with the Lands Ministry and then the related information should be submitted to the Cabinet,” the Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

The project stands poised to significantly boost the renewable energy capacity and reinforce Sri Lanka's position as a proponent of environmentally friendly power generators. The move aligns with the global progress towards transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable energy alternatives.