India hands over solar rooftop systems at religious sites

Thursday, 31 October 2024 04:11 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hokandara Temple

Mutwal Jumma Mosque

Sri Aanjaneyar Temple

St. Anthony’s Church

The handing over of solar rooftop systems took place on 25 October at four religious locations: Hokandara Temple, Sri Anjaneyar Temple, St. Anthony’s Church, and Mutwal Jumma Mosque in the Western Province.

The event was attended by officials from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA).

This event was a part of India’s assistance of $ 17 million aimed at installing solar PV rooftop systems in 5,000 religious sites across Sri Lanka. The project is designed to reduce energy costs for these institutions while bolstering Sri Lanka’s transition to clean energy.

The 5,000 solar rooftop systems will be installed across all nine provinces and 25 districts of Sri Lanka, covering major religious sites representing Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. This project highlights India’s steadfast commitment to bilateral cooperation in renewable energy, emphasising the human-centric and secular values underpinning India’s development partnership with Sri Lanka.

With Indian expertise, the project will add 25 MW of solar capacity, generating approximately 37 million units annually, supporting the Government of Sri Lanka’s ‘people-centric energy transition’ policy. The project is expected to be completed by early next year. Beyond the supply and installation of the systems, the project also includes a five-year maintenance period to ensure long-term efficiency and sustainability.

It may be recalled that during the recent visit of Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Sri Lanka, India reiterated its strong commitment to advancing bilateral projects of Sri Lankan priority under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This initiative is a significant part of these efforts, promoting close cooperation between the two countries. The project opens a new chapter in the energy partnership between India and Sri Lanka, reinforcing the shared goal of promoting reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy.

Other ongoing collaborations in this sector include solar electrification of around 9,000 Buddhist Temples and Pirivenas across Sri Lanka under a grant assistance of $ 10 million, the hybrid renewable energy project in the three islands off Jaffna, LNG supply and infrastructure development, and the solar power plant at Sampur.