DFCC Bank, the premier renewable energy financing institution

DFCC Bank is proud to be the lead financier of Sri Lanka’s first utility-scale grid connected solar power project implemented by the private sector. 

Promoted by Sagasolar Power Ltd., and located at Buruthankanda, Hambantota, this 10MW power project utilises photovoltaic technology to convert sunlight to electricity. It is expected to add 19GWh of clean green energy to the national grid each year for upwards of 25 years. 

The successful commissioning of this project is thus a major milestone in the harnessing of Sri Lanka’s indigenous non-conventional renewable energy resources. DFCC is also financing another 10MW solar project being implemented at the same location by Anorchi Lanka Ltd.

In financing this project, DFCC Bank partnered with Commercial Bank of Ceylon and Hatton National Bank as co-financiers, and with the European Investment Bank to source green funding. Analysed and structured by DFCC’s multifaceted team, this financing arrangement reflects the Bank’s commitment to develop the renewable energy sector as well as play a pivotal role in national economic development.

DFCC Bank has a strong track record in financing renewable energy projects, having financed more than 70 projects across a broad spectrum of technologies. In 1996, the bank financed Sri Lanka’s first-ever privately-owned, grid connected mini-hydro power plant, with both long term debt and equity. The success of this pioneering project catalysed the harnessing of the country’s non-conventional renewable energy resources resulting in a nationally significant industry, which today supplies nearly 10% of the nation’s electricity needs. 

In recognition of its pioneering work in the development of renewable energy resources, DFCC was appointed as the Administrative Unit of the Energy Services Delivery Project (1997-2002) and the follow on Renewable Energy for Rural Economic Development Project (2003-2011) financed by the World Bank – Global Environment Facility and the Government of Sri Lanka. Under these credit lines, more than 180MW of renewable energy generation capacity was added to the national grid and more than 139,000 rural households were provided with electricity through off-grid schemes.

DFCC also became the pioneer financier for private sector wind power projects in Sri Lanka, when it part financed the first wind power project in 2010. Its involvement in this undertaking extended beyond mere financing, to facilitating the introduction of a cost-based, technology-specific tariff structure. This enabled projects using wind technology to be commercially viable and spurred development of this form of renewable energy in Sri Lanka.

DFCC also financed a pioneering manufacturer of turbines for local and foreign hydro power plants. This project was the recipient of ADFIAP’s award for ‘Outstanding Project – Technology Development’. DFCC’S assistance to the industry has not been confined to Sri Lanka; the bank has also extended funding to local hydropower developers to set up projects overseas.

DFCC Bank CEO Arjun Fernando said: “DFCC Bank is proud to be associated with the nation’s first 10 MW solar power project as the Lead Financier. We would like to congratulate Sagasolar Power for successfully commissioning this ground-breaking project, which will provide a boost to Sri Lanka’s efforts in harnessing sustainable energy solutions. As Sri Lanka’s pioneering development bank, DFCC has extensive experience in financing renewable energy projects in the past and as a fully-fledged commercial bank today, we are well poised to empower many more such projects and thereby create greater energy security for the nation. Our domain of expertise and customised financial solutions are of critical importance in seeing such projects reach fruition. DFCC is on a path of robust expansion and we envision growth in this and other sectors that will spur greater economic development in the country.”